Calls for help easier for domestic violence victims

Rebecca Malone

Friday, July 13, 2001 | 10:28 a.m.

Information

With cases of domestic violence on the rise in Clark County, a Henderson church is doing its part to help victims.

The Central Christian Church is collecting donated cellular phones through the end of July that will be programmed to dial 911 or a nonemergency shelter that will be given to domestic violence victims.

The church is working with the national Donate a Phone campaign that has been providing free phones and emergency air time since 1996. The national program is a partnership between the Wireless Foundation, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Motorola.

These companies work together to repair and reprogram all old and broken wireless phones and then distribute them to victims around the country. Approximately 74 wireless service providers through the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) have donated free emergency air time.

"Domestic violence is just insidious, and the victims tend to have very few people they can reliably call at any time of the day," Linda Quackenboss, spokeswoman for Central Christian Church, said. "Having a phone in a situation like that is absolutely imperative and to help someone in need is a vital part of Central's ministry."

Frank Petrasek, a member of the church, suggested the idea and Central Christian ran with it.

Sprint PCS started a similar program last year, donating 25 phones to two shelters, Safe Nest and Shade Tree. This year 25 phones have been donated to each of four shelters -- Safe Nest, Shade Tree, No to Abuse and Safe House, according to Vicki Soares, Sprint PCS spokeswoman.

Sprint allows users approximately 200 minutes a month in free air time that is primarily for emergency use, said Soares. The phones have 911 and a non-emergency shelter number programmed in their speed dials.

"This is an extremely vital system," said Lisa Lynn Chapman of Safe Nest. "When a victim is leaving a violent relationship the potential for a highly violent situation increases and having that type of mobile assistance is essential."