Volunteers Sought to Help Domestic Violence Victims

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HAZLET – 180 Turning Lives Around, a private nonprofit organization that provides support and advocacy to victims of domestic violence will be holding training for new volunteers.
The organization, which assists those during the aftermath of highly emotional and traumatic experiences, has a dedicated response team of volunteers. A 40-hour mandatory training course for new Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) volunteers will be held 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Oct. 14 through Nov. 6, at the Wall Township Municipal Complex on Allaire Road in Wall.
Applications are currently being accepted for new team members. Training will be provided to successful applicants.
The organization’s volunteer DVRT advocates are members of the community who work with law enforcement to provide support, information and referrals to victims of domestic violence at police headquarters.
Advocates also discuss with victims safety planning and their legal rights in regard to obtaining a temporary restraining order. By providing empathy and crucial perspective of the situation, these highly trained advocates help to empower victims to make informed decisions for themselves and their families.
Basic requirements for those who wold like to be team members are that they must be 18 years old or older, have access to reliable 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 are committed to culturally diverse teams to better serve the community, so bi-lingual capability is helpful. Prior knowledge of domestic violence is not required.
The identities of the DVRT volunteers are kept anonymous.
Additional information and application are available by contacting Tina Morgan, assistant coordinator, Victim Support Program, at tinam@180nj.org or 732 264-4360, ext. 4272.
The confidential services of the DVRT program are available 24-hours a day, seven days a week for victims of domestic violence at police headquarters throughout Monmouth County.
Since 1976, the organization180 Turning Lives Around has been dedicated to providing shelter, counseling, support, prevention, education and advocacy for residents of Monmouth County who are affected by domestic violence and sexual violence.
If you, or someone you know, is a victim of domestic violence or sexual violence, please call the 180 Turning Lives Around Confidential Hotline at 732-264-4111 or 888-843-9262, 24-hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, visit www.180nj.org. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1.