Volunteers Needed: Northern Regional Domestic Violence Response Team

Aberdeen Township Police Department is currently recruiting volunteers to serve on the Northern Regional Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT).

In affiliation with 180 Turning Lives Around (180), and with the assistance of the response team volunteers, Aberdeen Township Police Department continues to make available this service to victims of domestic violence. Applications are available now and interviews will begin shortly.

The volunteer advocates with 180’s DVRT program are civilian members of the community who work in collaboration with the police to provide crisis intervention and safety planning to victims of domestic violence at police headquarters. The specially-trained advocates also discuss with the victim their legal rights in regard to obtaining a Temporary Restraining Order. The volunteer advocates help to empower victims to make informed-decisions about their own lives. The identities of the DVRT volunteers are kept anonymous. The 40-hour intensive, mandatory training course will be provided to successful applicants at no cost. 180 will be conducting the four-week training course from April 16 – May 9, Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday evenings, 6-9:30 p.m., in the courtroom at Hazlet Township Police Headquarters, 255 Middle Road.

Prior knowledge of domestic violence is not required. The services of the Northern Regional Domestic Violence Response Team are available to victims, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week at Aberdeen Township Police Headquarters, One Aberdeen Square.

Basic requirements for volunteers to apply include that applicants must be 18 years of age or older, have access to transportation, possess a valid driver’s license, be willing to serve on an on-call shift basis, participate in an interview process, submit to background investigations and fingerprinting, and successfully complete the mandatory training. Aberdeen Police Department and 180 Turning Lives Around are committed to culturally diverse teams to better serve the community. Bi-lingual capability is helpful.

Please contact Sgt. Darrell Oliver, Aberdeen Police Department DVRT DVLO, at 732- 583-4200 ext. 762, or log on to www.aberdeennj.org, to obtain an application or for additional information.

For over 35 years, 180 Turning Lives Around has been dedicated to providing shelter, counseling, support, prevention, education, and advocacy for residents of Monmouth County who are affected by domestic violence and sexual violence. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence or sexual violence, you can call the 180 Turning Lives Around Confidential Hotline at 732-264-4111, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. For more information, visit www.180nj.org. In an emergency, always dial 911.