A new law went in effect that requires Maine people to properly dispose of their cell phones. Title 38 Section 2143 entitled, 'Cellular Telephone Recycling" bans Mainers from throwing their old and unwanted cell phones in the trash.

The Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence (MCEDV) and the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault encourage Mainers to contact or visit their local domestic violence project or sexual assault support centers to donate their phone or download a pre-paid mail label on the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Web site, www.ncadv.org

Or, Maine residents can call the statewide domestic violence helpline 1-866-834-HELP or the statewide sexual assault crisis and support line: 1.800.871.7741, or TTY: 1-888-458-5599

Donated cell phones will either be given to a victim or will be exchanged for a monetary donation to fund services.

"Often abusers isolate and control victim's finances, resources and even their contact with other family and friends. The simple act of providing a 911-programmed cell phone allows scared, threatened and endangered victims to reach out to law enforcement. One cell phone, one call may save a life," said public awareness and prevention coordinator Nicky Blanchard.

The Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence (MCEDV) mission is to create and encourage a social, political, and economic environment in which domestic violence no longer exists, and to ensure that battered women are supported and that batterers are held accountable. MCEDV mobilizes and coordinates community action through a statewide network of domestic violence projects. Through these partnerships, we focus our resources on public policy, education, and systems advocacy. FMI: www.mcedv.org.

The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MECASA) is organized to put an end to sexual violence in Maine, and to ensure that there will be ongoing support and services for victims and survivors. MECASA represents and serve Maine's ten sexual assault support centers through public policy

advocacy, assistance to Maine's sexual assault support centers, public awareness and prevention activities, and statewide training. FMI: www.mecasa.org.