JACKSON /
PLUMSTED
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
CRISIS INTERVENTION
RESPONSE TEAM |
Plumsted
609-758-3738
Emergency Dial 911 |
Jackson
732-928-1111
Emergency Dial 911 |
About Us
The Jackson/Plumsted Domestic
Violence Response Team (DVRT) began training in August of 2001. We became fully
operational in January 2002. The team is a dedicated group of volunteers who
come together to help stop the cycle of domestic violence.
Team members
are available 24-hours a day and live in the community they serve. Victims
needing assistance receive confidential treatment, counseling, options,
referrals and information.
Victims no longer have to suffer with
uncertainty, doubt and guilt. The DVRT members are here to assist. The
combination of Law Enforcement, Counseling, Support, and the Courts creates a
winning team to help a victim of domestic violence. We are here to help, just
ask us.
What is Domestic Violence?
These acts
describe domestic violence or abuse:
- Hitting, pushing, beating, slapping
- Threatening, putting you in fear of your safety
or the safety of your children
- Denying your freedom, friends, locking you in
your home.
- Sexually assaulting you, or threatening you or
abusing you.
- Embarrassing or alarming you in public or in
front of your friends
- Damaging your property
- Breaking into your home
THE LAW ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
An actor
who commits any of the following acts against a spouse, co-habitant, a dating
relationship, or who has a common child, commits an act of Domestic Violence:
- Homicide
- Assault
- Threats
- Kidnapping
- Criminal Restrain
- False Imprisonment
- Sexual Assault
- Criminal Sexual Contact
- Lewdness
- Criminal Mischief
- Burglary
- Criminal Trespass
- Harassment
- Stalking
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PREVENTION
The Prevention of
Domestic Violence Act was designed to assist and serve you and your children.
The act applies to:
1. A person 18 years of age or older, or an emancipated
minor, who has been subjected to domestic violence by a spouse, former spouse,
or any other person who is a present or former household member; or
2. Any
person, regardless of age, who has been subjected to domestic violence by a
person with whom the victim has a child in common, if one of the parties is
pregnant; or
3. Any person, regardless of age, who has been subject to
domestic violence by a person with whom the victim has had a dating
relationship.
WHAT THE POLICE ARE REQUIRED TO DO
Domestic
Violence is a crime under the law. The Police MUST respond to your call for
assistance. Under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, it is the primary
duty of the Police Officer responding to a domestic violence call to enforce
the law and protect the victim. When the Police arrive they are required to
give victims a written notice in English and Spanish. This form explains the
rights of the victim under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. If you
don't understand your rights, you should ask the officer or DVRT member to
explain them to you. They will help you understand your options.
TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS
WHAT IS A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER?
A temporary restraining order, commonly referred to as a TRO, is a
legally enforceable document, which, among other things, limits the physical
contact between you and the person abusing you. It must be issued by a judge
from either your municipal court, or your county superior court, and may be
obtained even if there are no criminal charges. If a TRO is issued, you will
receive a copy. You should keep your copy with you at all times. It is
enforceable 24-hours a day, anywhere in the State of New Jersey. It may also be
enforceable in other states.
Some of the things a Judge can order in a
TRO include:
1. That your attacker is forbidden from entering the home
you live in.
2. That your attacker is forbidden from having any contact
with you or your relatives.
3. That your attacker is forbidden from
bothering you at work.
4. That your attacker may pay temporary child
support or support for you.
5. That you may be given temporary custody of
your children.
6. That your attacker pay you any money you have to spend
for medical treatment or repairs because of the violence.
7. There are
other things the judge may order and the Police or DVRT member can explain this
to you
On weekends, holidays and other times when the courts are
closed, you still have the right to obtain a TRO and the Police can explain the
process to you.
DO YOU NEED A LAWYER?
That decision is up to
you. You are not required to obtain legal representation.
If you would
like a lawyer to help you protect your rights, and you do not already have a
lawyer, you may obtain the name of an attorney by calling the Lawyer Referral
Service of Ocean County located at 732-240-3666. If you think you need a lawyer
and may be eligible for legal services you should contact the Ocean County
Legal Services at 732-341-2727.
CELLULAR PHONE PROGRAM
If you
are involved in a violent situation, you may qualify to receive a cellular
phone that will connect you to 911 services in an emergency. If you feel that
you require this service, you should inquire with the DVRT member. Phones are
available through the Police Department or Catholic Charities depending on your
individual needs.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I GET A TRO? DO I GO TO COURT?
If you apply for the TRO in the Family Division, you will appear before
a judge so you can tell him/ her what happened. You will usually appear before
the judge without the abuser being present. When you return to court on the
date indicated in your order, the abuser has a right to be present. Both you
and the abuser will have the opportunity to tell the judge what happened
between you. You are allowed to bring a lawyer to this hearing, but it is not
required. During this hearing the judge will determine if you should receive a
final protective order. He/she will also determine the conditions of the order
and the duration of the order.
If the abuser fails to appear at the
hearing, the judge can continue the temporary order until the abuser can be
brought into court, or he/she can enter a final order if there is proof the
abuser was served with the TRO and notice to appear. Your copy of the TRO may
have the necessary proofs, if it does not, the local police or sheriffs
department may supply that proof. It is not your responsibility to serve the
necessary papers on the abuser.
If YOU fail to appear at the hearing,
and have not made previous arrangements with the court to reschedule the case,
someone from the court will attempt to contact you by phone at your work or
home, or they may send you a certified letter. The courts take domestic
violence very seriously. If they cannot find you, your restraining order may be
dismissed and you could loose the protection of the order.
I HAVE MY
ORDER-NOW WHAT?
The Court will give you a copy of the order. If there
is something you don't understand about the order, ASK. You should keep a copy
of the order with you at all times. If the abuser violates a provision of the
order Contact the Police At Once! The Police are required to arrest an abuser
who violates the order. You have a right to Police Protection. Carrying a copy
of the order with you assists the Police in understanding the current
situation. If you loose your copy or it gets destroyed, return to the court and
obtain another copy.
Remember ONLY THE COURT CAN CHANGE THE ORDER!
STEPS TO TAKE AFTER YOU HAVE LEFT THE RELATIONSHIP
DO:
- Make a copy of the Order
- Take a copy of the order to the Police for their
files.
- Give a copy to your child's school, day care
center, babysitter trusted neighbor or friend, and someone where you work like
a security guard.
- Keep a copy of the order with you at all times.
- Have a co-worker screen your incoming calls
- Keep aware of your surroundings and notify
Police immediately if you suspect something is wrong.
DON'T:
- Go to places where your partner may go looking
for you
- Contact your partner or provide the means for
your partner to violate the order.
Domestic Violence doesn't just happen to
others. It isn't something that happens because of income or education, bad
neighborhoods or ethnic background. FBI statistics show that one in every two
women will experience violence at home during their lifetime. Violence will
occur at lest once in two-thirds of all marriages.
Children are also
victims. In 70% of all child abuse situations, the mother is also being abused.
And children from violent homes have higher risks of alcohol and drug abuse and
juvenile delinquency.
The Jackson / Plumsted DVRT works with Providence
house of Catholic Charities to provide the following services:
- 24-Hour Hotline
- Safe Emergency Shelter
- Counseling for residents and non-residents
- Community Education
- Advocacy
- Court accompaniment
- Support groups
- Volunteer Training
- Additional Services_ Counselors provide
information and assist victims with social services, transportation, support,
legal protection options, and a compassionate person to assist you regardless
of race, sex, religion, income, or disability.
I JUST MOVED HERE- WHERE AM I GOING?
We understand that you have been faced with many issues in a short
period of time. Should your case require your presence in Superior Court, we
are providing you with the following information.
The Domestic Violence
Complaint Unit is located in the Justice Complex, Toms River New Jersey. Their
pone number is 732-929-2019. You will find a map and directions to assist you
in locating the Superior Court. Temporary and final restraining orders are
processed in Superior Court between 0830 AM and 4:00 PM Mon-Fri. Be sure to
allow yourself enough time to get to the court, park and be processed. The
estimated travel time from either police station is about 45 minutes.
The Jackson Police Department is located at 102 Jackson Drive, Jackson NJ 08527
The Plumsted Police Department is located at 2 Cedar St. New Egypt NJ
08533
The Domestic Violence Complaint Unit is located in the Justice
Complex, Toms River New Jersey .
To get to the Justice Complex:
FROM JACKSON:
Take Rt. 528 or Rt. 571 South to Route 70
then follow directions below.
FROM NEW EGYPT:
Take Rt. 539 South to
Route 70 then follow directions below.
FROM Route 70:
Follow Route
70 Signs East to NJ Route 37. Go approximately 6.64 miles and turn right onto
Main St/NJ-166. Go about a ½ a mile and turn left onto Washington St.
Proceed an additional ¼ mile to Hooper Ave/ CR-549. The Justice Complex
is located at 120 Hooper Ave. Toms River, NJ.
Jackson Police
Department
Emergency |
732-928-1111
911 |
Plumsted Police
Department
Emergency |
609-758-3738
911 |
Providence House
From 609 Area |
732-244-8259
800-246-8910 |
Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline and
Services
After Hours and Weekends |
732-255-0700
800-792-8610 |
24 Hour Crisis Information
Hotline/Mental
Health
609 Area |
732-240-6100
609-693-5834 |
| Ocean County Prosecutor's Office/Victim
Witness |
732-929-2027 |
| Domestic Violence Complaint Unit |
732-929-2019 |
| Ocean Monmouth Legal Services |
732-341-2727 |
| Lawyer's Referral Service |
732-240-3666 |
St. Francis Counseling Service
Sexual
Abuse and Assault Program |
609-494-1554 |
Ocean County Board of Social Services
Emergency Food Pantry/Adult Protection |
732-349-1500
609-978-2100 |
Alcoholics Anonymous
Listing of Support
Groups |
732-668-1882
609-494-5130 |
Puerto Rican Congress
Information and
Services for Hispanic |
732-905-7217 |
Plumsted Police
Department
2 Cedar St.
New Egypt, NJ 08533
609-758-7185 |
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