Town Journal
Domestic Violence Volunteer Victim Advocates Needed: Training Classes Start Soon
Starting in April 2010, 180 will be conducting a training course for Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) volunteers. Applications are currently being accepted for the program and interviews will begin shortly.
The volunteer advocates with 180's DVRT program are civilian members of the community who work in conjunction with the police to provide support, information, and referrals to victims of domestic violence at police headquarters. The advocates also discuss with the victim their legal rights in regard to obtaining a Temporary Restraining Order. The volunteer advocates are highly-trained to empower victims to make decisions about their own lives. The identities of the DVRT volunteers are kept anonymous. The 40-hour intensive, mandatory training course will be provided to successful applicants at no cost. 180 will be conducting the four-week training April 26-May 19, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, 6:30-9:30 p.m., in the courtroom at Hazlet Police Headquarters, 255 Middle Road in Hazlet. One session each week will begin at 5:30 p.m. Prior knowledge of domestic violence is not required.
The services of the Domestic Violence Response Team program are available to victims 24-hours a day, seven days a week at the following police headquarters in Monmouth County: Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Asbury Park, Avon, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Brielle, Brookdale Community College, Colts Neck, Eatontown, Fair Haven, Freehold, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Howell, Keansburg, Keyport, Lake Como, Little Silver, Long Branch, Manalapan, Manasquan, Marlboro, Matawan, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Neptune, Neptune City, NJ State Police Holmdel Station, Oceanport, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Sea Girt, Shrewsbury, Spring Lake Borough, Spring Lake Heights, Tinton Falls, Union Beach, Wall, and West Long Branch.
Basic requirements for volunteers to apply include that applicants must be 18 years of age or older, have access to transportation, possess a valid driver's license, be willing to serve on an on-call shift basis, participate in an interview process, submit to background investigations and fingerprinting, and successfully complete the mandatory training. The police departments and 180-Turning Lives Around are committed to culturally diverse teams to better serve the community. Bi-lingual capability is helpful. To obtain an application or for additional information, please contact Sue Levine, Coordinator, Victim Support Program, at 732 264-4360, Ext. 4271, or susanl@180nj.org.
