UTC Police Collecting Old Phones to Help Domestic Violence Victims

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Unfortunately, domestic violence impacts millions of people in United States each year, including men, women, and children. To address this, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) authorities are inviting the public to join them in an initiative aimed at steering victims towards recovery. The plan? Utilizing old cell phones.

A Lifeline in an Old Device

According to the 911 Cell Phone Bank, approximately 20 people in the U.S. fall victims of physical abuse by their partners every minute. The UTC Police Department has decided to combat this grave issue by partnering with the 911 Cell Phone Bank for the third consecutive year. The goal is simple, yet powerful: providing victims of violent crimes with electronic communication devices that could potentially save their lives.

“That device could be a lifeline, it could save someone’s life. It could make it where that person uses your device to call for help, which saves their life,” Sargent Kenneth Lloyd stressed.

Making a Safe Exit

Sargent Kenneth Lloyd has seen many cases of domestic violence victims desperate for a way out. “We’ve given phones to people who were attempting to get out of violent situations so that they can make an exit plan safely,” he said. In this way, your used cell phone could become a vital asset and the escape route for someone trapped in a violent scenario.

“We take those unclaimed electronics, we make sure they’re securely cleaned of all the data, and we repurpose them to support and fund and help those agencies that are helping victims of human trafficking and victims of domestic violence,” Sgt. Lloyd added.

Every Cell Phone Could Save a Life

Latest data from chattadata.org reveals a startling figure, reporting 109 domestic violence incidents in Chattanooga just this month. Amy Carlton, who manages the Rape Crisis Center and assists in distributing these phones to victims, highlighted, “When we tell people, each cell phone saves a life, we’re not joking. It really does.”

For victims of domestic violence, these devices offer a new level of security. According to Carlton, “It means so much for them to be able to start over fresh and new, with a new number that no one knows, their abuser doesn’t know.” Sargent Lloyd echoed her sentiments, stating that perpetrators often control all communication devices, so giving the victims a device that only they control can help them reach out for immediate help when needed.

Supporting Advocates

The program extends its hands to support victim advocates as well. The Hamilton County DA and the Rape Crisis Center are provided with donated iPads, further assisting those who are on the front lines of humanitarian aid.

Almost a thousand calls were made to the domestic abuse hotline of the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults in Chattanooga in just last year, according to the Hamilton County End of Year Report.

Every Contribution Counts

If you wish to donate a used cell phone and become part of this noble initiative, you can drop it off at the UTC Police Department’s donation collection box located in the front lobby (400 Palmetto St).

Your contribution can truly make a difference in boosting the efforts to make Chattanooga a safer place, providing victims a way to escape the terror of domestic violence and start anew.