The Domestic Violence Response Team program is a state mandate of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991 N.J.S.A. 2C:25-20, b, (3). The DVRT is comprised of specially trained volunteer advocates who provide support and resources to victims of domestic violence at the local police department. When a victim of domestic violence seeks the assistance of law enforcement, he/she is offered the service of meeting with a DVRT volunteer advocate. In a confidential setting, DVRT volunteer advocates will provide victims of domestic violence with immediate support at the moment of crisis and provide all available information regarding the law, safety options, and available resources.

 

The goals of the Domestic Violence Response Teams are:

 

  1. To decrease the emotional trauma experienced by victims by:
  2. Providing victims an opportunity to express their emotional response to their crisis.
  3. Educating victims about the dynamics of domestic violence.
  4. To increase a victim’s ability to make an educated decision about their options by:
  5. Increasing the victim’s awareness of available community resources.
  6. Increasing the victim’s awareness of available legal options and their understanding of the legal process.
  7. Informing victims of shelter options and 24-hour hotlines.
  8. Informing victims of counseling services and other forms of assistance.
  9. To increase the victim’s access to community resources by:
  10. Providing the victim with the necessary information to access available resources.
  11. Assisting the victim in contacting available community resources.

 

Training

All applicants selected as viable members of the Domestic Violence Response Team shall be required to successfully complete the Domestic Violence 40-hour training, including specific training components, to be a DVRT volunteer before being permitted to respond to any Team activations.

Requirements to Apply

  • Must be 21 years of age or older
  • Must have a valid NJ Driver’s License and reliable transportation
  • Must have no recent criminal history (Police Department will conduct a thorough criminal background check on all applicants)
  • Must have no prior history as a defendant in a domestic violence matter
  • Must be a good listener
  • Must be non-judgmental
  • Must have a desire to help others
  • Must commit to a minimum of two years of volunteer work
  • Must be available to participate in trainings, as well as team meetings
  • Must commit to a minimum of 3 volunteer shifts per month

Interested in Becoming a DVRT Volunteer? Complete the application in its entirety and submit the application via email: mabrams@womenrising.org or send via Fax: 201-333-9305 Attention: Margaret Abrams

DVRT-Application