Domestic Violence: Committing to Caring

As we told you on Monday, domestic violence experts say anyone can help a victim, often with a simple phone call to your local police.  But some people go the extra mile, and make a bigger commitment.

Susan Levine is a Victim Support Program Coordinator with the 180 Turning Lives Around (180) organization in Monmouth County.  They're offering state-approved training for Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) volunteers this spring.

"There's a mandatory 40-hour training," Levine said.  "And in that training, we really break down domestic violence, what it's all about, defining it, what it looks like, the different types of abuse, what advocacy is."

Levine says successful applicants will be compassionate and caring, and very good listeners.  Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and participate in an interview process and background check.  Bi-lingual capability is also helpful.

DVRT members work on an on-call schedule, and it is a big commitment, but Levine says it is doable.

"The advocates can pick and choose throughout the month the shifts that work well for them," Levine said.  "We wouldn't want them volunteering when they're at work or when they have family commitments."

180's training takes place April 13 - May 7, 2015, Mondays/Wednesdays/Thursdays, from 6pm to 9:30pm in the courtroom at the Hazlet Police Headquarters on Middle Road.  The deadline to apply for training is April 3, 2015.  Interested applicants should contact Victim Support Program Assistant Coordinator Tina Morgan at tinam@180nj.org or by phone at 732-264-4360, ext. 4272.

If you or someone you know are the victim of domestic violence, contact 180 --  24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 888-843-9262 or dial 911.