Wireless Phones Help Protect Victims Of Domestic Violence In New Jersey

MORRIS PLAINS, NJ — Continuing its commitment to domestic violence prevention and awareness, Verizon Wireless today donated 100 wireless phones to Jersey Battered Women's Service, Inc., a non-profit domestic violence agency serving Morris County women and their families.

JBWS will lend the phones to women at risk throughout the county to carry with them to call for help in an emergency. The phones are pre-programmed to dial 9-1-1 and the JBWS crisis hotline.

"Having wireless phones in hand will allow women to go about their day-to-day lives with less fear," said Mary Baughman, executive director, Jersey Battered Women's Service, Inc. "They can go to work and take their children to school secure in the knowledge that if the abuser appears, they can call for help."

Since 1976, Jersey Battered Women's Service (JBWS) has helped protect victims of domestic violence, providing counseling, shelter and educational services. Last year, JBWS responded to more than 4,000 hotline calls, housed more than 140 women and children in its emergency shelter and hosted 20 families in its transitional living program.

Domestic violence prevention and education is Verizon Wireless' chief community focus. Through its signature program, HopeLineSM, the company provides free voicemail boxes and emergency phones to victims residing in shelters and to law enforcement agencies to distribute to women at risk.

"No offense shakes individual security more than violence in the home," said Charles Hand, president of Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region. "At Verizon Wireless, we continue to be humbled by the strength of domestic violence survivors and proud to provide them with resources that can help them rebuild their lives."

Through its Hopeline Recycling Program, the company collects no longer used wireless phones to be refurbished, recycled or sold. Proceeds are donated to domestic violence advocacy groups or used to purchase phones for victims. As a result of HopeLine and related phone recycling programs the company has organized since 1995, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 940,000 used wireless phones for the benefit of domestic violence victims, including more than 60,000 wireless handsets in the New York Metro area. Donations are accepted at all 66 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the New York Metro area. For store locations and additional information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 32.5 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.

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