THE latest campaign by the ‘Change for Sam’ group to honour the memory of murdered Phillip Island mother of three, Samantha Fraser, is to promote the widespread use of personal safety alarms for victims of family violence.

Launched recently by the group, with a Go Fund Me crowd-funding page to promote the initiative, it has already been picked up by the national media as part of the response to the rise and rise in family violence, again, in 2024.

While the total number of ‘family incidents’ fell by 3.3% in Bass Coast for the 12 months to the end of December 2023, from 840 incidents to 812 incidents, and went up in South Gippsland by 1.9% from 528 incidents in 2022 to 538 incidents, breaches of family violence orders was the top crime category overall in both LGAs with 258 incidents recorded in Bass Coast and 168 in South Gippsland.

The Change for Sam group launched its campaign with the following statement:

“Family violence in Victoria is increasing. And not all forms of it can be detected from the outside. That's why, unfortunately, so many victims suffer in silence, just like our Sam.

“Our new project provides free, 24/7 monitored personal alarms to family violence victims and survivors in the form of a ‘loan library’. We have partnered with The Salvation Army, who will be distributing these alarms to their clients. Once a client no longer needs their alarm, the data will be wiped and given to the next person in need.

“The fear and anxiety of being alone and vulnerable is excruciating, and by providing these alarms, we hope to reduce these anxieties because people will know help is available 24/7 at the touch of a button.

“If Sam had owned one of these alarms, we truly believe things may have been different. That’s why we’re asking for your help in supporting this incredibly important initiative — please donate to our GoFundMe, click here.

How do the alarms work?

These alarms are worn on the body discreetly and can be used if the wearer feels in danger. By simply pressing a silent button, the security company is immediately alerted. The device will vibrate silently, letting the user know that it’s been effectively activated and that someone is now listening in and ready to help.

The security company will alert the relevant authorities and already have the exact coordinates of where the wearer is due to two different types of GPS trackers. Anything the security company hears can be court admissible. And, if the alarm is accidentally activated, the wearer will receive a phone call checking that they are okay.

Go Fund Me for alarms

Friend of Samantha Fraser Lija Matthews provided these details on the Go Fund Me page:

My best friend Samantha (Sam) Fraser was murdered by her ex-husband on Phillip Island in July 2018. He has been found guilty by judge and jury in Supreme Court Melbourne and was sentenced to 30 years non-parole.

Not long after Sam was murdered our community came together to form ‘Change For Sam’.

We can now reveal our new project which is providing free personal alarms, monitored 24/7 to family violence victims and survivors. If Sam had have owned one of these things may have been different.

We have put together a “loan library” of alarms and have partnered with The Salvation Army who will be distributing the alarms to their clients. Once a client, victim/survivor is no longer needing their alarm the alarm will be wiped and handed out to the next person in need!

The fear and anxiety of being alone and vulnerable is excruciating and by providing these alarms we hope to reduce anxiety and fear by knowing help is available 24/7 at the touch of a button.

We are able to fund these alarms through all our generous donations to date but we dream for more donations to add to the library and make a bigger difference. Areas serviced will be Bass Coast, La Trobe Valley, and the Bayside Peninsula, which covers a lot of ground!

Please help us in our plight to make a positive change out of the biggest negative we’ve ever experienced! Family Violence is rife, and we need to make a tangible difference to those in need!

I miss my friend Sam beyond belief and Change For Sam is so dedicated to making a difference to try and avoid this type of tragedy happening again. Please help! X

With an initial target of $15,000, the group has already raise $20,000 and the wide publicity provided by the Herald Sun and others can only help.