Verizon calls on South Carolinians to reverse ‘shameful’ rate of deadly violence against women
October 13, 2015
GREENVILLE, SC – South Carolina has the nation’s highest rate of men killing women than any other state in the nation, a rate more than twice the national average, according to a recent report by the Violence Policy Center. This October, Verizon is working with partners throughout South Carolina to raise awareness and create new opportunities for the community to support the cause and reverse the trend.
“This is the 18th year South Carolina has ranked among the top 10 states and the fourth time we ranked as the worst in the nation for the number of men killing women,” said Krista Bourne, Verizon president of the Carolinas and Tennessee. “It’s shameful, and every one of us can help to change the culture and change the outcomes.”
Verizon, a long-time supporter of domestic violence prevention, is sponsoring a “One Million Phone Drive” to collect phones that will connect victims to vital resources through its HopeLine program. The company will also donate up to $100,000 in proceeds from specially designed products to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
HopeLine, Verizon’s cell phone recycling program, turns no-longer used wireless devices, batteries and chargers into support for domestic violence agencies. Phones donated in South Carolina directly benefit the state’s domestic violence shelters on an on-going basis.
Program turns cell phones into lifelines for victims of domestic violence
Through its HopeLine program and the Verizon Foundation, the wireless provider supports domestic violence initiatives across South Carolina with funding, and in addition to cash grants, donates cell phones and wireless service to shelters that serve women who need a way to stay connected to loved ones when leaving abusive relationships.
“The HopeLine program has made such an impact for many of our clients,” said Becky Callaham, executive director of Safe Harbor shelter in Greenville, S.C., which received 30 HopeLine phones in 2015. “When ‘Mary’ came to Safe Harbor, her abuser had cut her off from their finances and disconnected her phone. She wasn’t able to reach out for support until she received a HopeLine phone. Mary was able to call us to schedule counseling appointments, contact law enforcement to report her abuser, and even search for jobs so that she could begin to support herself. ‘Jane’s’ husband monitored her phone calls and messages, so she had no way to safely make calls to Safe Harbor or her attorney until she got a HopeLine phone. Thanks to Verizon, Mary and Jane were able to get the help that they needed to leave their abusive relationships.”*
Supporters can donate phones, purchase purple accessories
This year, Verizon is partnering with William Gay, pro football player whose stepfather killed his mother when he was seven years old. Together, they launched a “One Million Phone Drive” to inspire others to take action against domestic violence by donating phones in support of victims and survivors. The goal is to collect one million phones in 2015.
To get involved, South Carolinians can donate no-longer used cell phones, along with the battery, charger and accessories at any Verizon Wireless Store or by mail. For more information and for a pre-paid mailing label, visit www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/hopeline/get-involved. Verizon ensures personal information is erased from all donated devices before refurbishing or recycling them in an environmentally friendly way and putting the proceeds to work for domestic violence agencies.
Supporters can also purchase exclusive purple accessories, including a headset, phone case, tablet case and more, at Verizon stores or online. For every purple accessory purchased in October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Verizon will make a $1 donation – up to $100,000 – to the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The following organizations benefitted from Verizon grants and/or donations of cell phones and wireless service this year:
Killingsworth, Columbia
Mary’s House, Easley
Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Florence
Safe Harbor, Greenville
Meg’s House Shelter for Abused Women & Children, Greenwood
CASA Family Systems, Orangeburg
*Full names of Safe Harbor clients are not being provided in order to protect their identity.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, employs a diverse workforce of 178,500 and generated more than $127 billion in 2014 revenues. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with 109.5 million retail connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.verizon.com/news/.
