Volunteers sought to help domestic violence victims
BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer

MARLBORO — A call for volunteers is being sent out by Marlboro's Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT).

In conjunction with 180 Turning Lives Around, Hazlet, the DVRT is a group of trained volunteers who are available to meet confidentially with victims of domestic violence at police headquarters 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The volunteers help provide support, information, referrals and a safety plan to the victims at their time of crisis. They also discuss with the victim his or her legal rights in regard to obtaining a temporary restraining order against the person who committed the act of violence.

For more than 30 years, 180 Turning Lives Around, a private nonprofit organization, has been dedicated to providing shelter, support groups, protection, prevention, education and advocacy for residents of Monmouth County who are affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.

Marlboro police Lt. Douglas Van Note said the DVRT is looking for individuals who can listen to the victims and help them by providing information.

Volunteers are trained to empower victims to make decisions about their own lives.

Applicants must be 18 years old or older, have access to transportation and a valid driver's license, be willing to serve on an on-call shift basis, and undergo a background investigation and fingerprinting.

Potential volunteers are not required to have prior knowledge about the issue of domestic violence.

The police department and 180 Turning Lives Around said they are committed to having a culturally diverse DVRT in order to better serve the community. Anyone who is bilingual is an asset to the team.

There is a 40-hour mandatory training course that will be provided to successful applicants. The four-week training program conducted by 180 Turning Lives Around will be held from Oct. 27 to Nov. 19 in the courtroom at Hazlet police headquarters, Middle Road, Hazlet. The classes will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

Interested individuals may request a DVRT application by contacting Lt. Douglas Van Note at the Marlboro Police Department, 732-617-0186.

Anyone who may be a victim of domestic violence or know someone who is a victim of domestic violence may call the 180 Turning Lives Around confidential hotline at 732-264-4111, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Victims may also stop by the Marlboro police headquarters, 1979 Township Drive, at any time and ask to speak with a domestic violence victim advocate. In an emergency situation dial 911.