Cell service, phones and plans are being donated and expanded to offer digital lifelines and support to escape violence and abuse.
Rogers Communications announced it has increased its support from last year, by donating phones and plans to 56 B.C. women’s shelters and transition houses in Rogers wireless coverage – including in Burnaby.
Rogers also announced a network expansion that includes Highway 14 and Highway 16, known as the Highway of Tears.
“For decades, this highway has been the tragic location of many missing and murdered women, particularly Indigenous women, who were unable to call for help due to coverage gaps,” said a news release. “By the time construction of these new towers is complete along Highway 16 late next year, the project will provide more than 250 km of cellular highway coverage between Prince George and Prince Rupert, improving safety for everyone, including women whose lives may depend on being able to make an emergency call.”
The announcement includes support for women’s shelters in Prince George, Squamish, Kelowna, Trail, Kamloops, Castlegar, Vancouver, Chilliwack, Hope, Surrey, Richmond, Abbotsford, Mission, Burnaby, Tri Cities, Maple Ridge, Campbell River, Port Alberni, Sooke, and Victoria.
“During the pandemic, transition houses across B.C. report that access to safe and secure technology, along with digital connectivity, is increasingly required for women and their children to contact safe shelter, support services and lifesaving resources,” said Amy S. FitzGerald, Executive Director, BC Society of Transition Houses. “Many rural and remote communities have daily challenges with connectivity. Sincere thanks from our member programs to Rogers for their leadership on bridging the digital divide in B.C. with phones and infrastructure that will connect front line workers to women, children and youth fleeing violence.”
