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NJ Residents Encouraged to Access Available State Resources and Advocate for Victims of Domestic Violence

For Immediate Release Contact: Ernest Landante, Jr.
October 6, 2014 609-292-0422

 

TRENTON, N.J. - During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) is encouraging New Jerseyans to honor the victims and survivors of domestic violence by working to reduce domestic violence in their communities and to become better acquainted with programs and services for survivors.

"Domestic violence has an impact not only on individuals and families, but on our communities as well," said DCF Commissioner Allison Blake.  "Domestic violence seldom occurs alone, with substance abuse, mental health issues, or other problems also present in the family."

DCF funds and oversees the state's domestic violence programs.  These programs provide shelter, a phone hotline, and emergency response. Information and referral, counseling, support groups, children's advocacy services, community education, and financial, legal, housing, and general advocacy are also available.  There is at least one DCF-designated lead domestic violence program in every county. 

Eleven providers offer Peace: A Learned Solution programs, which provide counseling and creative arts therapy for children who have witnessed domestic violence.

DCF also supports the Domestic Violence Liaison Program, which helps the child protection and domestic violence service systems work effectively together; the Domestic Violence Legal Advocacy Program, which provides legal and advocacy services to victims who cannot afford legal help; and the Responsible Fatherhood/Batterers' Intervention Pilot Program, which is underway in five counties to counsel and encourage batterers into a higher standard of parenting.

Each year DCF provides specialized training to a number of its staff about domestic violence.  To date, 136 have earned a Violence Against Women and Children certificate from the Rutgers School of Social Work.

DCF supports The New Jersey Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), which helps individuals who, due to domestic violence, have relocated for their safety.  ACP provides eligible victims a substitute mailing address that does not identify their actual location, helping shield them from their batterer.

According to recent statistics, 11,436 victims of domestic violence throughout New Jersey accessed a DCF-designated lead domestic violence agency in 2013 for non-shelter services.  In addition, 1,299 women and 1,489 children received shelter from a DCF-designated lead domestic violence program during that same time period.

The Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week to serve domestic violence victims and provide information about domestic violence, received 2,618 calls.  Nearly 72,000 calls were placed to the DCF-designated lead domestic violence agencies.

The Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline number is 800-572-SAFE (7233).

Information about DCF's domestic violence programs is available at http://nj.gov/dcf/women/domestic/.

DCF is dedicated to ensuring a better today and an even greater tomorrow for every individual the department serves.  In partnership with New Jersey's communities, DCF ensures the safety, well-being, and success of New Jersey's children and families.  DCF funds and directly provides services and support to over 100,000 women, children and families each month.

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