Outreach Counseling
The Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center’s Outreach Program provides individual support counseling to both domestic violence and sexual assault clients and significant others, two Women’s Domestic Violence Support Groups, a comprehensive Legal Advocacy program, and accompaniment to hospitals, police stations, and courts.
Domestic violence is not about anger; it is about power and control. Domestic violence encompasses more than physical abuse. Other forms of domestic violence include emotional, verbal, financial, and sexual abuses. Through our individual and support group counseling services, we empower victims to identify the controlling behaviors of their partners. We recognize that victims are the experts in their situations and through support counseling we assist them in weighing their options. The ultimate goal is the safety of the victim regardless of her choice to stay or leave the situation.
Sexual abuses constitute more than rape. Other forms of sexual abuse include incest, sexual contact (touching), lewdness, voyeurism, sexual harassment, stalking, and forced prostitution. The Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center provides support services to all survivors of sexual abuse. In addition to providing services to survivors, significant others may also receive counseling services through the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center.
Domestic Violence Counseling
- All services are confidential and free of charge
- Individual support counseling services
- Women’s domestic violence support groups including a group that meets in Phillipsburg
- Monday night group has a children’s group that runs at the same time for children from age 4-14
- Individual’s are screened for the appropriate services
- Individual clients sign a counseling contract explaining support counseling, confidentiality, and term of service (90 days, approx. 12 sessions)
DVRT (Domestic Violence Response Team)
- Volunteer program
- Volunteer team leader – Ann Marie Afazul
- Currently program is running at Hope State Police Barracks, Washington State Police Barracks, and Mansfield Twp. Police Department
- Volunteers looking into the possibility of expanding to some local PDs
- Provides a volunteer advocate to victims of domestic violence who have been brought to police headquarters for the purpose of filing a TRO, pressing criminal charges, etc. The program provides the victim with the ability to talk with an advocate
Sexual Assault Counseling
- All services are confidential and free of charge
- Individual support counseling services
- Individuals are screened for the appropriate services
- Individual clients sign a counseling contract explaining support counseling, confidentiality, and term of service (90 days, approx. 12 sessions)
- Sexual assault clients who are also DV victims can attend domestic violence support group as we do not have a sexual assault group currently
- Volunteer SA advocates can respond to hospitals to provide support when SART criteria are not met
SART (Sexual Assault Response Team)
- Client centered approach set up to respond to survivors of sexual assault who are 13 years of age or older, who want forensic evidence gathered at either Warren Hospital or Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, and where the assault has occurred within 5 days.
Legal Program
- Legal advocates provide advocacy and support counseling
- Legal advocates can give legal information not legal advice, meaning that they can not interpret the law or complete legal documents for clients
- Legal advocates keep a notebook of issues as they arise. Share concerns with the Outreach Director in order to problem solve the best avenues to resolve issues
- Counselors are available to provide support counseling services to survivors who continue to be affected by domestic violence post restraining order
Family Violence Option (FVO) Program
- Program with Work First NJ
- The Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center screens women who need waivers from Social Services due to being domestic violence or sexual assault survivors
For more information about any of the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center's Outreach Programs please call 908-475-8581.
