VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM

The Violence Intervention Program (VIP) works to reduce the physical, psychological and emotional trauma and recurrence of domestic violence, sexual assault and incest experienced by victims and their families. All VIP services are provided at no cost, excluding the Alternatives To Violence program, which incurs a small cost.

24-Hour Hotline: If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 1 (800) 286-4184 or (609) 646-6767. Trained counselors staff our 24-hour hotline 365 days a year to assist you with crisis intervention, emotional support, information about emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy and other community and social service resources.

Shelter: 24-hour emergency and protective housing in a confidential location for you and your children to stay until your domestic violence crisis passes or you are able to relocate.

Counseling: Because domestic abuse and sexual assault are crimes of violence, you may feel overwhelmed with feelings of isolation, distrust, anger, guilt, depression and/or loss. You do not have to face the trauma of violence alone. Individual, family and/or group counseling can help promote healing and positive change in your life.

Trained Crisis Counselors answer the hotline 24 hours a day.

Kidsafe: Counseling for children 5-17 years of age who have experienced violence in the home. The effects of violence on children are devastating. They are the "silent" and often unintended victims caught in the middle of a situation beyond their control and understanding. Children may develop psychological, behavioral and emotional difficulties as a result of witnessing violence.

Alternatives To Violence (ATV): Counseling for batterers to control anger and eliminate abusive behavior. You will learn how to break the cycle of violence in a supportive group environment facilitated by a trained counselor.

Legal Advocacy: If you are a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault and you need the assistance of the legal system, ACWC can support you through the criminal justice process. ACWC will help to ensure that your safety and rights are protected. We cannot offer legal representation or provide you with an attorney, but, our Legal Services Coordinator can give you information, counseling, transportation, accompaniment and follow-up support through the confusing, and often overwhelming, legal system.

Through a partnership with Cape/Atlantic Legal Services, free legal consultations, clinics and/or forums are offered twice monthly at ACWC's Northfield offices. To schedule a private and confidential appointment with a Cape/Atlantic Legal Services attorney or for information about upcoming forum topics, contact ACWC's Legal Services Coordinator.

The Sexual Assault Nuse Examiner completes a 'rape kit' with an unidentified victim.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program/Sexual Assault Response Team (SANE/SART): If you are sexually assaulted, you can choose to activate a Sexual Assault Response Team. The team is a group of professionals and volunteers trained to provide compassionate emotional support to sexual assault victims while using state-of-the-art evidence collection tools and techniques for use in prosecuting offenders. Each Sexual Assault Response Team includes a sexual assault nurse examiner, a rape crisis advocate, a law enforcement officer and an assistant prosecutor.

Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT): ACWC trains police department volunteers to become certified crisis counselors who respond to the station immediately following a domestic violence incident to ensure quality support services are provided to the victim including: counseling, assistance with filing a complaint and obtaining a temporary restraining order, locating temporary safe housing, and educating about the issues and implications of domestic violence.

Community Education: Specialized training and community awareness presentations are available for all professional and community-based organizations to further understanding and awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault issues. Trainings and presentations can be tailored to your organizational/audience needs.

The Clothesline Project: Similar to the AIDS Quilt, the Clothesline Project addresses the issue of violence against women through a visual display of shirts hung from a clothesline, each decorated by a victim or someone who cares about her.

Emergency Cellular Phone Program: Cellular phones pre-programmed to automatically dial "911" and/or ACWC's 24-hour hotline provided at no cost to domestic violence victims who are in imminent physical danger.

Herbert C. Meyer Memorial Fund: Volunteer group working to raise awareness and educate children about violence in the home. The Fund provides free ACWC presentations to schools and children's groups, provides grants to nursery schools and pre-schools to receive the New Jersey Child Assault Prevention program (CAP).