The 9 Categories of Domestic Violence in New Jersey

The 9 Categories of Domestic Violence in New Jersey

The stigma of domestic violence embedded in the average person’s mind includes ideas of victimhood, physical violence, and even poor choices. In truth, parties involved in domestic violence often exist outside of the confines of our assumptions. In 2019, 35.8% of New Jersey women and 27.4% of New Jersey men experienced intimate partner physical violence, rape, and/or stalking in their lifetime (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence). Even though domestic violence illustrates issues of power and control in a relationship (not limited to a romantic partnership), the abuse can often manifest in various and insidious forms.

Domestic violence need not occur between two parties who currently live together. It spans the spectrum of abuse, including physical, verbal, and emotional, and psychological. One or all of these types of abuse may be inflicted upon a person or persons for an extended or limited period of time. The State of New Jersey protects those experiencing domestic violence under the “Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991,” P.L. 1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-17 et al.)

A person protected under this act is over the age of 18 or is an emancipated minor. This person has experienced domestic violence from a current or former spouse, or any other present or previous household member. Regardless of age, the relationship between the offender and the domestic violence target can include one of the following:

  • A person with whom the victim has a child in common
  • A person with whom the victim anticipates having a child in common, if one of the parties is pregnant
  • A person with whom the victim has had a dating relationship

(New Jersey State Police)

The list below outlines the types of domestic violence legally acknowledged in the State of New Jersey:

  1. N.J.S.A. 2C:11-1 et seq. Homicide
  2. N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1, 12-3, 12-10 Assault, Terroristic Threats, Stalking
  3. N.J.S.A. 2C:13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-5 Kidnapping, Criminal Restraint, False Imprisonment
  4. N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2, 14-3, 14-4 Sexual Assault, Criminal Sexual Contact, Lewdness
  5. N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1 Robbery
  6. N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3 Criminal Mischief
  7. N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2, 18-3 Burglary, Criminal Trespass
  8. N.J.S.A. 2C:29-9b Contempt
  9. N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4, 33-4.1 Harassment, Cyber-Harassment

A domestic violence target retains the legal right to file a civil complaint and a criminal complaint. A civil complaint functions as protection for the target, and a criminal complaint functions to punish the abuser.

If you or someone you know experiences any of the above criminal acts from a domestic violence offender, consider taking action quickly. Prioritize the safety of the domestic violence target. See below a list of Domestic Violence Programs and resources in the State of New Jersey, provided by the New Jersey State Police.

Please call the 24-hour Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-572-SAFE (7233) or look below to contact your local domestic violence program. Many services are free, confidential and provided regardless of gender identity, age, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, ability level or immigration status.

The following are Domestic Violence Programs by Counties:

ATLANTIC COUNTY

AVANZAR (formerly the Women’s Center Violence Intervention Program (VIP)
24 Hr. Hotline: 1-800-286-4184

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Text Line: 609-569-5437
Web: avanzarnow.org/

BERGEN COUNTY

Center for Hope and Safety
24 Hr. Hotline: 201-944-9600
Web: www.hopeandsafetynj.org

Bergen County Alternatives to Domestic Violence
24 Hr. Hotline: (201) 336-7575
Web:  www.co.bergen.nj.us/divisions-of-alternatives-to-domestic-violence/alternatives-to-domestic-violence

BURLINGTON COUNTY

Providence House Domestic Violence Services of Catholic Charities
24 Hr. Hotline: (609) 871-7551
Web: www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/locations/burlington-county/

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA DELAWARE VALLEY
Phone: 856-854-4660
Web: www.voadv.org

CAMDEN COUNTY

Camden County Women’s Center
24 Hr. Hotline: (856) 227-1234
Web: www.njaconline.org/13.html
https://sites.google.com/a/njaconline.org/camden-county-women-s-center

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA DELAWARE VALLEY
Phone: 856-854-4660
Web: www.voadv.org

CAPE MAY COUNTY

CARA, Inc. (Coalition Against Rape & Abuse, Inc.)
24 Hr. Hotline: (609) 522-6489
Toll free: 1-877-294-2272 (CARA)
Web: www.cara-cmc.org

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Services Empowering the Rights of Victims Cumberland County Domestic Violence Services
24 Hr. Hotline: 1-800-225-0196
Access line: 1-877-922-2377 (1-877-9-ACCESS)
Web: www.centerffs.org

ESSEX COUNTY

Access Family Services
24 Hr. Hotline: 862-444-3126
Web: https://essexcountynj.org/ceas_directory/access-family-services/

Essex County Family Justice Center
Phone: 973-230-7229
Web: www.essexcountyfjc.org

The Safe House
Emergency Shelter 24 Hr. Hotline: (973) 759-2154
Web: www.rwjbh.org/clara-maass-medical-center/treatment-care/domestic-violence/
www.essexcountynj.org/ceas_directory/safe-house/

The Rachel Coalition of Jewish Family Service
Division of Jewish Family Service of MetroWest New Jersey
24 Hr. Hotline: 973-740-1233
Web: www.rachelcoalition.org

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

Services Empowering Rights of Victims (SERV)
24 Hr. Hotline: 1-866-295-SERV (7378)
Access Line: 1-877-922-2377 (1-877-9-ACCESS)
Web: www.centerffs.org

HUDSON COUNTY

Womenrising, Inc.
24 Hr. Hotline: (201) 333-5700
Web: www.womenrising.org

HUNTERDON COUNTY

Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center (DASACC)*
24 Hr. Hotline: 908-453-4181
Toll free: 1-888-998-4033
Web: www.dasacc.org

*DASACC is now providing Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault services for both Warren and Hunterdon Counties

MERCER COUNTY

Womanspace, Inc.
24 Hr. Hotline: (609) 394-9000
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Text Line: (609) 619-1888
Web: www.womanspace.org

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Women Aware, Inc.
24 Hr. Hotline: (732) 249-4504
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Text Line: 1-876-658-7713
Web: https://womenaware.net/

Manavi Inc. *
24 Hr. Hotline: 1-732-435-1414
Web: www.manavi.org
* A non-profit organization for women who trace their cultural heritage to Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

MONMOUTH COUNTY

180 Turning Lives Around
24 Hr. Hotline: 1-888-843-9262
Office: 732-264-4111
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Text Line: 732-977-2766
Web: 180nj.org

MORRIS COUNTY

JBWS – Safety, Support & Solutions for Abuse
24 Hr. Hotline: 1-877-782-2873 or 1-877-R-U-ABUSED
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Text Line: 973-314-4192
Web: www.jbws.org

Morris Family Justice Center (MFJC)
Phone: (973) 829-4050
Assistance outside of office hours: Domestic Abuse: 1-877-R-U-ABUSED
Web: www.morrisfjc.org

Jersey Center for Non Violence

Appointments and referrals: (973) 539-7801

OCEAN COUNTY

Providence House Domestic Violence Services of Catholic Charities – Ocean
24 Hr. Hotline: (732) 244-8259
Toll free: 1-800-246-8910
Web: www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/domestic-violence-services/

PASSAIC COUNTY

Passaic County Women’s Center
Domestic Violence Program
24 Hr. Hotline: (973) 881-1450
Web: www.passaiccountywomenscenter.org

Project S.A.R.A.H.
24 Hr. Hotline: 1-888-883-2323
Phone: (973) 777-7638
Web: www.jfsclifton.org/projectsarah/

WAFA House
Toll free: 1-800-930-9232
Web: www.wafahouse.org/

SALEM COUNTY

Salem County Women’s Services
24 Hr. Hotline: (856) 935-6655
Toll free: 1-888-632-9511
Web: www.salemcountywomensservices.org

SOMERSET COUNTY

Safe+Sound Somerset
24 Hr. Call or Text Hotline: (866) 685-1122
Web: www.safe-sound.org

SUSSEX COUNTY

DASI: Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services
24 Hr. Hotline: (973) 875-1211
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Text Line: (973) 222-2593
Web: www.dasi.org

UNION COUNTY

Project: PROTECT
YWCA Union County

24 Hr. Hotline: (908) 355-4357 (HELP)
Web: www.ywcaunioncounty.org

WARREN COUNTY

Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center (DASACC)
24 Hr. Hotline: 908-453-4181
Toll free: 1-888-998-4033
Web: www.dasacc.org

https://www.njsp.org/division/operations/domestic-violence-info.shtml

https://assets.speakcdn.com/assets/2497/ncadv_new_jersey_fact_sheet_2020.pdf

Law Offices of Adam C Brown Esq. PC

Law Offices of
Adam C Brown Esq. PC

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