Turning Victims Into Survivors: 911 Cell Phone Bank Empowers Victims of Human Trafficking During Sexual Assault Awareness Month

PRESS RELEASE

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time to support survivors, raise awareness about sexual violence, and identify strategies to prevent such crimes. Sexual assault is tragically prevalent in human trafficking cases, where perpetrators use violence, coercion, and control to exploit their victims.

The 911 Cell Phone Bank, in partnership with law enforcement agencies and advocacy programs, is addressing this critical issue by providing victims with “clean” cell phones—devices free from tracking or monitoring that can serve as lifelines for escape and independence. These phones not only offer immediate safety but also play a vital role in helping law enforcement bring perpetrators to justice.

Human trafficking often involves sexual violence, not just in sex trafficking but also in cases of forced labor and servile marriages. Victims may be controlled through physical, verbal, or technological means, normalizing abuse and limiting their ability to escape. Traffickers frequently misuse technology to monitor, manipulate, and exploit their victims, making access to a secure, untraceable phone essential for those seeking to break free.

The 911 Cell Phone Bank provides victims with smartphones that enable safe communication, support evidence collection, and facilitate independence. Victims can reach out to advocates, loved ones, and law enforcement without fear of being traced. Detectives are able to retain the old phones which can serve as critical evidence, helping law enforcement to track and prosecute crimes. New phones empower survivors to access support services, attend court sessions, and rebuild their lives.:

“Technology is both a tool and a threat in human trafficking cases,” said Susan Shipp, Public Relations Coordinator for the 911 Cell Phone Bank. “By providing secure devices to victims, we’re giving them the means to escape, rebuild, and ultimately pursue justice against their traffickers.”

This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the 911 Cell Phone Bank calls on local businesses with Lost and Found departments—such as hotels, theme parks, and other establishments—to donate unclaimed devices to the cause. 

Founded to support victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, the 911 Cell Phone Bank partners with law enforcement agencies and advocacy programs to distribute secure devices to those in need. For over two decades, the organization has provided a critical lifeline to vulnerable individuals, ensuring safety, independence, and hope for a brighter future.