For many victims of domestic violence, the ability to reach out for help can be the difference between life and death. A phone—something many of us take for granted—can be a lifeline in moments of crisis. Merari Lopez, a mother of seven and a victim advocate at the Taylorsville City Police Department in Utah, knows this all too well. Her story of survival highlights just how critical access to communication can be.
"My life has been marked by domestic violence since the first year of my marriage in 1994," Merari recalls."Over the years, I experienced emotional abuse, physical violence, and control from my partner, leaving me scared, alone, and trapped in a toxic situation."
For 11 years, Merari endured unimaginable hardships. Her partner not only abused her physically but also isolated her from friends and family, and controlled every aspect of her life—including her phone calls. In Merari’s words: "He would constantly slap me, pull my hair, isolate me from my friends and family, and control my phone calls. His abusive behavior escalated over the years. I felt scared, isolated, hopeless, and trapped with no means of communication or help."
The situation was made worse by a language barrier that made seeking help even more difficult. When she turned to her husband’s family for support, she was told she wasn’t "woman enough" for him. She was left battling depression, anxiety, and fear. As an undocumented person, she feared not only for her safety but also the possibility of being arrested and losing her children if she sought help.
After enduring 11 years of abuse, Merari finally escaped the relationship."I moved to Utah with my kids, and a victim advocate from the YWCA contacted me," she says."This advocate educated me about the cycle of domestic violence, my rights, and available resources. Their support gave me hope that my children and I could find safety and a better life."
Despite finding help, there was one tool that could have made an earlier escape possible—a phone.
"At that time, the 911 Cell Phone Bank (911CPB) program was not available to aid me in communicating with loved ones or authorities during critical moments of crisis," Merari explains."Having access to a 911CPB phone during an abusive incident with my intoxicated partner would have made all the difference at that moment."
One night, her husband came home intoxicated, yelling profanities at her and their children. The situation spiraled into violence: "He almost killed my oldest son while my other children cried in desperation, asking him to stop hitting us," Merari recalls."I had no means of calling 911 or a loved one for help because I didn’t have access to a phone. A 911CPB phone at that moment would have allowed me to discreetly call for help without my husband knowing."
A phone in her hands could have meant safety for her and her children that night. It could have been a lifeline.
How You Can Help
Today, Merari has become a victim advocate, determined to help others escape the cycle of abuse. She fully supports the 911 Cell Phone Bank and its mission: "The 911CPB program offers a crucial solution by providing survivors with donated old cell phones, allowing them to access emergency services without their abuser’s knowledge. This program empowers victims to break free from their abusers and reach out for help when they need it most."
You have the power to make a difference. Many of us have old phones, tablets, laptops, and other personal devices sitting forgotten in our homes, lost and found rooms, or property and evidence rooms. These devices may no longer be useful to us, but they can become a lifeline for someone in crisis.
When you donate phones for domestic violence victims to the 911 Cell Phone Bank, you ensure that these phones are securely wiped of data and repurposed to help survivors like Merari find safety.
Join the Movement
Merari’s story reminds us that something as simple as an old or unused phone can change a life. Whether you’re an individual with an unused phone or part of an organization with unclaimed devices in lost & found or property & evidence, your donation could help someone in their darkest moment.
Help us provide a lifeline to those who need it most. Donate your unused and unclaimed lost and found devices today.
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