RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) –The Victim Specialist Program in Rapid City is looking to help provide cell phones for domestic violence victims in need.

Rapid City has partnered with the 911 Cell Phone Bank for a few years now leading up to this drive.

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So far the partnership has provided 23 emergency phones since 2022, all for free.

“So we live in such a digital age so if you don’t have a cell phone or any way to connect and communicate, first off it’s terrifying because you can’t call for help, you can’t get anywhere, you can’t call for services. So you really feel kind of lost and even more alone and destitute than you were before,” Victim Specialist Rebecca Elger said.

These phones also come with 60 days of service to help with that financial burden.

“You know, being able to have access to a phone when you have nothing else. You don’t have the financial means, or someone has, you know, the power over finances and things like that, it’s truly a lifeline,” Public Information Officer Katy Urban said.

“Give a phone – save a life” cell phone drive has drop off locations at the Public Safety Building, County Administration Building and City Hall.       

“That lifeline and it’s that one way a victim can still take control of their own life and have that safety feature. So they can call 9-1-1, they can call a friend, they can call to talk to somebody if they need to just vent or have that counseling session or it just keeps them connected with life,” Elger said.

While many people take their cell phones for granted, it is an important piece of technology for people in crisis.

“The impact is really big. It’s a seemingly small thing. It’s a phone that maybe you just have laying around, but to donate it has literally saved lives. And we’ve heard those stories from victims. Oftentimes they leave domestic violence situations with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” Urban said.

In less than two weeks, over 75 cell phones, iPads, and other devices have been donated.

The 911 Cell Phone Bank works with over 500 agencies across the nation.