The University Subcommittee on Dating and Domestic Violence at the University of Wisconsin is holding a used cell-phone drive to support domestic violence victims through the month of October.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month.
"The phone drive is a way to support a local service provider and to bring about visibility to the issue of domestic violence," said Carmen Hotvedt, domestic violence prevention specialist at University Health Services.
Yolanda Garza, assistant dean of students and the chair of the University Coordinated Community Response to Dating and Domestic Abuse, said she views the event as an easy way for people to get involved on campus.
Garza said each donated phone would contribute up to $40 toward Domestic Awareness Intervention Services of Madison.
DAIS is a non-profit organization that provides services to domestic violence victims throughout Dane County. Services include legal advocacy, shelters and support groups. DAIS also provides training to non-victims to help them address the concern of domestic violence.
"We want to do something that is tangible for individuals," Garza said. "This is one small example of how a lot of people can help."
According to Garza, UW students, faculty and staff are being affected by dating and domestic violence every day. However, considering the typically secretive nature of this issue, Garza added, she worries there are many episodes taking place on campus that are not made public.
"We believe there are a lot of students who are victims in dating and domestic violence that are living in silence," Garza said. "We want to take this opportunity to let them know that there are wonderful services around campus and in the community that can help them."
While one goal of the cell-phone drive is to raise money for DAIS, Tonya Schmidt, interim assistant dean of students, said it also aims to put the issue of dating and domestic violence on the radar. She said the drive intends to educate everyone about this concern.
"It's so important for us to stay connected with community organizations like DAIS," Schmidt noted. "We can work with them for a good cause like this and can also stay up to date with things that are going on in the community."
Garza said to help these organizations fight dating and domestic violence, the organizations urge students to donate old cell phones to be reused or recycled. She added that contributors are asked to remove any personal information from the phones. And according to a press release, phone chargers are not required with donations. If donors are concerned about tax receipts, Garza said, they would be available upon request.
Schmidt said she strives to educate the community about domestic violence so the families and friends of victims can recognize when a loved one is a victim of abuse.
"I know that sometimes we feel helpless when we see someone in an abusive relationship," she said. "And this is a way we can feel like we're actually doing something. It's so incredibly valuable."