MILWAUKEE -- Many people are trafficked for sex each year just in Wisconsin. That’s why one local Milwaukee organization is creating a program to specifically help victims with one huge need -- a cell phone.
Cry For Help Foundation, Inc is launching a campaign to collect phones for sex trafficked victims. It's different but the founder of the organization, Bianca Williams says it'll help victims report crisis situations.
"A lot of times these things go unreported," Williams said. “It's definitely a terrifying life. I honestly believe with working with the women that I work with everyday that this phone will be something valuable that can help them."
They would like gently used old phones, they'll then pass them along to the women and girls involved in sex trafficking.
"I believe it could help get them some help at a faster pace," she said. "And I also believe that they'll feel more comfortable with reporting these types of situations that happen, a rape, abuse, assault, different things like that someone is just mainly taking advantage of them."
And your phone doesn't have to have a SIM card or be turned on. Emergency Call features like dialing 911 will still help a victim in trouble.
"My call is that we will start spring cleaning and while we're spring cleaning we will look through our drawers, our dressers, our cabinets for old phones that's slightly used," Williams said. "Once we all get on one accord we'll have a safer and better Milwaukee for not just our young girls but boys too."
Cry For Help Foundation Inc is also collecting phone chargers for sex trafficking victims. They'll be collecting phones until the summer.
If you would like to donate you can contact Williams at 414-334-4093 or Acryforhelpfoundation16@gmail.com .
Drop-off locations are located below:
- CFH’s Office Center 3407 W. Highland Blvd.
- Happy Hustlin 2100 W. North Ave.
