AG holding cell phone recycling drive to benefit victims of domestic violence

Posted 2/12/15

The Office of Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin will again hold a cell phone recycling drive throughout the month of January to benefit victims of domestic violence and the Rhode Island Coalition …

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AG holding cell phone recycling drive to benefit victims of domestic violence

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The Office of Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin will again hold a cell phone recycling drive throughout the month of January to benefit victims of domestic violence and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV).

The program is supported by Verizon Wireless and the company’s HopeLine program, a recycling program that supports domestic violence coalitions throughout the country, including the RICADV. Kilmartin invites the public to drop off used cell phones and wireless accessories at the Office of Attorney General in Providence and courthouse offices in Newport, Warwick, and Wakefield.

“With many people receiving new cell phones for Christmas, this is a perfect opportunity to safely and securely discard old phones while helping victims of domestic violence escape their abusers,” Kilmartin said. “Cell phones are an effective tool in the fight against domestic violence. Instead of being discarded, an old phone can be used an emergency device for individuals in the community at risk of domestic violence. This communication may provide a critical link between law enforcement and a victim of domestic violence who may be in a life-threatening emergency.”

“A donated cell phone can be a lifeline for anyone living in constant fear. It does more than give a victim the ability to communicate; it also gives her the ability to make a safety plan and can possibly prevent a domestic violence tragedy. We thank Attorney General Kilmartin for organizing this effort and for encouraging community members to be active bystanders against domestic violence,” said Deborah DeBare, executive director of the RICADV.

“Donating a phone to HopeLine is an easy way to support organizations throughout the state, like the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, that help address this very serious issue,” said Christine Berberich, New England Region president for Verizon Wireless. “We are grateful to all community residents who will donate devices to Attorney General Kilmartin’s initiative and beyond, as each contribution helps provide a vital link between domestic violence victims and emergency services, family and friends.”

The Office of Attorney General has traditionally held its cell phone recycling drive in October to coincide with Domestic Violence Awareness Month. At the suggestion of several employees, the office opted to move the recycling drive to January, citing an increase in unused cell phones after Christmas.

Wireless phones donated to HopeLine are refurbished and sold for reuse, generating proceeds for the program. Additionally, new HopeLine phones – complete with 3,000 minutes of wireless service – are provided at no cost to local domestic violence organizations or local government and law enforcement agencies for use with their domestic violence clients. If donated phones are unsalvageable, they are recycled in an environmentally sound way under a zero landfill policy.

Donate old and discarded cell phones, batteries, chargers and all other wireless accessories at any of the drop-off locations between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Office of Attorney General takes the protection of consumer information seriously. Everyone who plans to donate a cell phone is encouraged to erase any personal data on the phone before donating.

As part of the Verizon Wireless refurbishing process, phones donated specifically to HopeLine are put through an extensive refurbishing process to ensure that personal data such as phone numbers, messages, games and images are all removed. For more information visit www.verizonwireless.com/HopeLine.

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