Transition Network To Present 'The Hidden Pandemic: Domestic Violence'

Press release from the Transition Network of Northern New Jersey:

April 29, 2022

The Transition Network of Northern New Jersey will host a free virtual education event titled The Hidden Pandemic: Domestic Violence to address the prevalence of domestic violence in our communities and the resources available for domestic abuse victims and their children. The free event will take place on Zoom on May 4th at 7 PM and will feature an academic expert on intimate partner violence as well as experts from Center for Hope and Safety (CHS), Bergen County’s only not-for-profit agency dedicated to helping adults and children rebuild their lives beyond domestic violence and abuse. Registration for the event can be found at: https://bit.ly/DV_Panel.

The event will highlight the prevalence of domestic abuse in our communities, the complexities of the cycle of abuse in domestic violence cases, and the resources available including safe housing, therapy programs, career services, social supports and legal services. Panelists include Venezia Michalsen, PhD, an expert on gender and the criminal justice system, and intimate partner victimization of women and girls at Montclair State University, Mira Moreno, a licensed mental-health counselor and program director at CHS, and Katheryn Miller, Esq., who serves as the lead attorney at CHS. Donna Ward, Co-Chair of The Transition Network of Northern New Jersey, will moderate the event.

“Domestic violence hits people in every socio-economic group, every racial and ethnic community, every state and county in the country, said Leslie Paparone, Co-Chair of The Transition Network of Northern New Jersey. “Our hope is that through this free educational event we can help increase awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence in our own community and the resources available to help break the cycle of abuse and help victims find safety.”

In New Jersey, approximately 36 percent of women and 28 percent of men have experienced violence at the hands of a domestic partner, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. That violence can be physical or take the form of verbal, psychological, or economic abuse.

Throughout 2021 Center for Hope and Safety saw record high incidents of domestic violence. Calls to CHS’ free, 24/7 hotline totaled 7,508 representing a 23% increase over 2020 when numbers had already increased by 46% and a 50% increase in call volume from the prior 10-year average. Additionally, CHS saw an unprecedented high number of domestic violence survivors seek safety through its Safe House Program and the length of stay more than doubled due to challenges caused by the pandemic.

Further underscoring the critical need for the comprehensive services CHS provides is its legal services program which provides free legal representation, advice and counsel on restraining orders, appeals and emergent custody, visitation, child support, and spousal support. Throughout 2021 CHS’ legal service program served 314 individuals helping them to navigate more than 500 legal matters to sustain safety and establish a path forward free from domestic abuse.

“We’re grateful to the Transition Network of Northern New Jersey for their help in educating others about domestic abuse and its many forms and the services and resources we provide to help adults and children rebuild their lives beyond domestic violence,” said Julye Myner, PhD, Executive Director of Center for Hope and Safety. “Education plays a critical role in addressing domestic abuse and our ability to reach and help those in need.”

Founded in 1976, Center for Hope and Safety has spent over four decades working to ensure that every person is granted the ability to feel safe, empowered, and free from violence. The agency offers a wide range of services designed to help both individuals and their children escape from domestic violence situations, as well as resources towards fostering new beginnings including safe housing, escape planning, financial workshops, career assistance and free legal services.

For immediate access to crisis intervention, counseling and referrals including enrollment in our safe house for you or someone you know call: (201) 944-9600 or visit: https://www.hopeandsafetynj.org/.

To learn more about The Transition Network of Northern Jersey, please visit www.TTNwomen.org.

To support CHS and ensure that domestic violence survivors and their children have access to life-saving services, safe housing safety, and support please consider donating at: https://www.hopeandsafetynj.org/give-help/donate/

This press release was produced by the Transition Network of Northern New Jersey . The views expressed here are the author's own.