Domestic violence teams offer comfort to victims
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - When one thinks of living in suburbia, one pictures open space, shopping malls and safety from crime.

There may, in fact, be less crime in suburbia than in a big city, but living in suburbia does not preclude you from being unsafe in your own home, even if you live in a town such as Freehold Township.

Police Officer Todd Smith heads up the Community Policing Division in the Freehold Township Police Department. He also directs the Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT). In an interview last week, Smith said Freehold Township has the third highest rate of domestic violence in the county, behind Asbury Park and Long Branch.

Police are trying to do their part to stop the violence and help victims of the crime go through the lengthy and sometimes frightening process of getting out of that cycle of pain by providing a DVRT advocate to assist victims, but the department needs some help from the community.

There are currently eight DVRT volunteer advocates and eight, in this instance, is not enough. Smith explained that an advocate's role is to provide emotional support to a victim of domestic violence and explain the options open to men and women who suffer at the hand of an abuser.

The advocate's role in a domestic violence situation is to support the victim and be a guide, helping them navigate their way through a complex legal system, Smith said.

Team members also explain the purpose and procedures involved in acquiring a temporary restraining order. A restraining order is a court order signed by a judge telling a defendant to have no further contact with the plaintiff either in person, by phone, by electronic devices or by mail. This order is issued by the plaintiff's testimony and a discussion with a judge, according to Smith.

The advocate will also explain the court advocacy program.

According to Smith, the Family Court Advocacy Program provides technical assistance, legal advocacy and emotional support to help the victim through the legal system. There is no fee for this program.

According to information provided by Smith, domestic violence is described as "a pattern of behavior in which one person uses a variety of tactics, both physical and emotional, to gain and maintain power and control over their partner. Under the law, the following is all domestic violence: harassment; terroristic threats; criminal trespass; criminal mischief; homicide; stalking; burglary; assault; kidnapping; lewdness; sexual assault; criminal sexual contact; false imprisonment and criminal restraint.

Domestic violence is a crime that encompasses more than physical abuse under the law. It includes emotional, mental and sexual abuse as well. According to Smith, sometimes victims of domestic violence will minimize the emotional/mental abuse they receive and are not aware that they are entitled to help from counseling centers, police and the courts.

A 40-hour advocate training course will begin in June and take place in Middletown coordinated by 180-Turning Lives Around. The criteria for becoming an advocate is as follows: a valid driver's license; access to transportation; must be over the age of 18; must be willing and able to serve on an on-call shift basis.

When a call comes in to police as a domestic violence case, officers will investigate the situation. If the officer confirms it is a domestic violence situation then a DVRT advocate will be called to provide the counseling assistance they have been trained to give.

"Advocates are never asked to go to the home and are always protected from any danger," Smith said.

Freehold Township police Lt. Robert Brightman said he is "extremely proud and thankful to our volunteers for their service to the community and for allowing police officers to return to duty while they perform their task.

"Team members provide immediate emotional support to victims of domestic violence by counseling them in areas of safety needs, by providing them with information and referrals and by acting as a conduit between the victims of domestic violence and services available to them," Brightman said. "They also provide information about the cycle of violence and abuse."

For more information about becoming a DVRT advocate, call Freehold Township police headquarters at (732) 462-7500.