DA Sutter Partnering with All Bristol County Police Departments and Verizon on Month-Long Domestic Violence Initiative

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter announced today that he is partnering with the 20 police departments across the county as well as Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine Program, which collects unused wireless phones and parts to support survivors of domestic violence.

Throughout the month of October, the public is invited to drop off wireless phones and parts no longer in use to support survivors of domestic violence. Collection boxes will be located at the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office in New Bedford and Fall River as well as at all police departments throughout the county.

Verizon became the first wireless carrier in the nation to collect and recycle no-longer-used cell phones. HopeLine® from Verizon puts the nation’s most reliable network to work in the community by turning no-longer used cell phones into support for domestic violence victims and survivors. The program recycles used cell phones, batteries and accessories, and uses the funds generated to donate phones, airtime and funding to domestic violence agencies. Since 2001, HopeLine has collected more than 10.8 million phones, properly disposed of 2.4 million no-longer-used wireless phones, and donated 180,000 HopeLine phones with free airtime to domestic violence organizations nationwide.

“Donating a no-longer used cell phone to HopeLine is an easy and effective way to support domestic violence agencies throughout Massachusetts, and open the lines of communication for victims,” said Michael Murphy, spokesperson for Verizon Wireless. “With support from our customers, we can give victims of domestic violence a lifeline to help in an emergency, and help raise awareness about this important issue.”

Although this partnership highlights October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, these agencies work continuously throughout the year to mitigate domestic violence and educate and train those in the community.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office recently received grant funding to hire three additional victim witness advocates to assist victims of domestic violence. The Office has also partnered with local law enforcement and advocacy agencies to work together on domestic violence high risk teams identifying high risk offenders and working to hold these individuals accountable while keeping their victims safe. In March of this year, District Attorney Sutter kicked-off the White Ribbon campaign by partnering with Employers Against Domestic Violence and the Boston Celtics to educate men about this program that gives them a voice to speak out and pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about domestic violence.

 
Drop off hours and locations:

During AHA! Night in Downtown New Bedford:

Thursday October 9th, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm in the Hallway of the Bristol Building, located between the Green Bean and Travessia Winery, 740 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 View More

All month long during normal business hours at the following locations:

Bristol County District Attorney’s Office:
New Bedford office – 888 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Fall River office – 218 South Main Street, Fall River, MA 02721.

Any police station in any of the twenty cities and towns of Bristol County:
Acushnet, Attleboro, Berkley, Dartmouth, Dighton, Easton, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Mansfield, New Bedford, North Attleborough, Norton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, Taunton, Westport.

Want to start your own collection? Print this FLYER and attach it to a box. At the end of the month, call 508-997-0711 or email us to coordinate a pick-up.

Contacts:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—cell

Ashley Bendiksen
Social Media Manager
508-997-0711
774-929-5614—cell