Local Agencies Unite to Tackle Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence in South Florida 

PRESS RELEASE

Maria’s Story: A Lifeline Through a Secure Phone

Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Maria was 22 when she met Jake. He promised a better life, but once they moved in together, everything changed. He took her ID and money, forced her into sex work, and monitored her through her own electronic devices. 

One day, Maria found an advocacy program’s number and memorized it. During a brief moment alone, she called for help. Advocates arranged a safe place for her to stay and, leaving her phone behind to avoid tracking, Maria escaped. Law enforcement retrieved her phone as evidence, ensuring Jake faced justice. 

At a safe house, Maria received a secure phone from the advocacy program. It became her lifeline, allowing her to rebuild her life without fear. Without it, she could have been found and forced back into the nightmare she escaped. 

A Collaborative Approach to Combat Trafficking and Violence 

Maria’s story highlights the critical role of secure phones in helping victims of trafficking and domestic violence. In a partnership with the 911 Cell Phone Bank, the Broward County Sheriff’s Department, Coral Springs Police Department, Broward County Transit System, and our newest partnership in the area, Women in Distress advocacy program, demonstrate how a community can come together to offer this vital resource for victims and survivors, thus combating the issues of human trafficking and domestic violence efficiently. 

The 911 Cell Phone Bank, an initiative of the Charitable Recycling Foundation, collects and refurbishes donated phones to provide free devices and service to victims and survivors through various agencies and advocacy programs nationwide. Through these partnerships, the program has helped over 250,000 survivors regain independence and security. The collaboration offers a responsible way to repurpose unclaimed devices. 

Each donor observes a policy that attempts to reconnect property with the original owners. After appropriate time passes, devices are donated to the 911 Cell Phone Bank. The 911 Cell Phone Bank ensures all donated devices are wiped using third-party verification software, fully complying with data privacy regulations. Phones that cannot be reintroduced into the program are properly recycled. With 70 million phones lost or stolen annually in the U.S. and only 7% recovered, this initiative not only supports the fight against Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence, but it effectively addresses any liability issues and e-waste concerns. 

The Broward County Sheriff’s Department, Coral Springs Police Department, Broward County Transit, and Women in Distress set a powerful example for communities nationwide. Their collaboration underscores the impact of community partnerships in creating a safer environment for all. 

If you are a victim of human trafficking or domestic abuse, help is available. Women in Distress provides shelter, support, and advocacy for victims in Broward County. Since 1974, the organization has helped survivors build safe new lives. They also offer a 24-hr Crisis Hotline: 954.761.1133 or Visit WomenInDistress.org for more information. 

The 911 Cell Phone Bank collects and refurbishes donated devices from property rooms and lost-and-found departments to provide free devices and services for victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse. If your organization is interested in participation, visit 911CellPhoneBank.org or call 866-290-7864.