Phones for those in need

One of the first things abusive partners will do before hurting their companions is disconnect or destroy the phone - which Meghan Nigra of the Women's Center says can be the only way to be saved from domestic abuse. Victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault can turn to the Women's Center in Carbondale to provide them with a cell phone for use in emergencies when they may not be able to contact help any other way.

The Women's Center, located at 408 Freeman St., has collected about 400 phones in the last five years, and the number of phones being donated has jumped significantly in the last year. Camille Dorris, the center's executive director, said phones are donated every day. "Some are happy and grateful to receive the phones," Nigra said. "Some are sad they have to."

According to the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a woman is beaten every 15 seconds in the United States, and out of every five women who are murdered, two of them are killed by their husbands. The Women's Center cell phone service is available to all women victims in Jackson, Johnson, Perry, Union, Williamson, Franklin and Saline counties, and phones can also be donated at police stations in any of the counties. Once the phones are donated, Dorris said they are taken to First Cellular in Carbondale, where they are reprogrammed with access to only emergency numbers: 911, the police station and the Women's Center. "It's not going to make all their problems go away," Dorris said. "It's just one piece of safety and emotional support."

All phones, new and old, can be donated. Phones that do not work properly can also be donated. Nigra said First Cellular will recycle the ones that do not work, reusing parts for other phones for the cell phone service. The phones are available as a backup for victims even if they already have a phone, Nigra said. Nigra said when women come in to pick up a phone, they are able to keep it for three months. After three months, the phone is either returned or kept if the victim believes she is still in danger. The most important part of receiving the phone is keeping it a secret so an abuser will not find out about it and destroy it, Nigra said. When the phones are given out, women are given instructions on how to keep it hidden from an abuser.

The Women's Center also provides other support for women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The center offers services such as counseling, legal advocacy, safety planning and emergency food and supplies. The center also has a 24-hour hotline. Women who are unsure of where to turn for help can call 1-800-334-2094. "Anything we can do to help provide safety for that survivor is what we try to accomplish," Dorris said. "If someone is making an emergency call, it could save their life."