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Last Words
Program donate cell phones to victims of domestic abuse
by Press of Atlantic City
15.07.2003 By JOHANNA DUERR
A Cape May County organization that helps victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault received Monday 50 free cellular telephones programmed with two emergency numbers to provide more protection to victims.
Verizon Wireless, as part of its community service program, donated the telephones to the Coalition Against Rape and Abuse and set up several phone drives throughout the county through which people can donate their old telephones.
"For so me people, this is literally life and death," Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew said at the press conference Monday, which was attended by Middle Township elected officials, representatives from Verizon and representatives from C.A.R.A.
"As we had the press conference today, a woman got raped, a woman got beaten," he said.
The 50 telephones were reprogrammed for victims to call either 911 or C.A.R.A. Verizon covers the airtime.
The telephones "can be used as high tech weapons against attackers," said Christine Baron, Philadelphia regional president for Verizon Wireless.
According to Kristen Raring Bixby, executive director of C.A.R.A., the telephones will be distributed based on need and will give victims the "extra resource they need to feel safe in this community."
Incidents of domestic violence are high in Cape, Atlantic and Cumberland counties, said Van Drew. Last year in Cape May County, 700 restraining orders were issued to victims.
Verizon started the Hopeline program in 1995, and since then it has collected more than a million cellular telephones. According to Baron, when the program started, people questioned why they didn't choose a cause that affected more people. But, she said, domestic abuse is widespread, and is underdiscussed by the public and underreported to police.
For each telephone that is collected in the county phone drive, Verizon will donate one dollar to the organization, up to $1,500.
Drop off points are Van Drew's office at 21 North Main Street in Cape May Court House, the Dennis, Lower and Middle township municipal buildings, the Ocean City Library and the Cape May County Library. Collections will be through Sept. 15. Telephones from any carrier are accepted with the battery and charger.
Read the full article appeared at Press of Atlantic City
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