Mobile phone SIM cards have recently been donated by Telstra to Red Cross Limestone Coast.

They are being made available free-of-charge to people fleeing abusive relationships or domestic violence situations.

Red Cross Limestone Coast regional services manager David Walshaw said it was a generous gesture by Telstra.

“The initiative aims to circumvent perpetrators using a phone against their victim to level abuse, threats or as a tool to coercively control their victims,” Mr Walshaw said.

“They often leave abusive environments without a mobile phone, making it hard for them to access services.

“We are also grateful to Telstra for donating mobile phones.”