Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Programs
Every day, people across New Jersey experience harm from domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and incest - both those who are directly victimized and those who witness these forms of abuse. In fact, according to state and federal statistics, there are over 63,000 domestic violence incidents and 1,500 sexual assaults using physical force reported in the state of New Jersey each year. AVANZAR’s free, safe, and confidential programs for people who have undergone domestic violence or sexual assault are built to help heal physical, psychological, and emotional trauma, empower people to live on their own terms, and prevent recurrence of abuse.
Get In Touch
AVANZAR Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Programs
24-Hour Hotline: If you or someone you know is in danger due to domestic violence, call us at (800)-286-4184 or send a text message to (609)-569-5437. Trained counselors and staff are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to assist you with crisis intervention, emotional support, information about our emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and other community and social service resources. Our mission is to make sure you always have somewhere to turn to in a crisis.
Shelter: Our first priority is providing physical safety. We offer 24-hour temporary, emergency, and protective housing at a confidential location for people who have been the victims of domestic violence and their children.
Counseling: If you have been affected by sexual assault or domestic violence, you may feel overwhelmed with feelings of isolation, distrust, anger, guilt, depression, or loss. You don’t have to face trauma alone - AVANZAR offers individual, family, and group counseling to help you heal from psychological pain and maintain better mental health in the future.
Fathers Ending Abuse: We assist the male offending parents to eliminate abusive behavior, achieve emotional control, and end the cycle of violence through supportive group sessions facilitated by a trained counselor, promoting accountability and real change. Call AVANZAR at (609)-569-5437. for more information on this program.
Legal Advocacy: We believe everyone who has suffered abuse deserves the resources required to bring those who harmed them to justice. If you have been impacted by domestic violence or sexual assault and need legal assistance, AVANZAR can help. While we cannot directly provide legal representation, our Legal Services Coordinator can give you information, counseling, accompaniment, and follow-up support as you obtain an attorney and navigate the complexities of the legal system. Our primary goal is to ensure your safety and rights are protected.
Sexual Assault Response Team/Forensic Nurse Examiner Program (SART/FNE): AVANZAR engages Sexual Assault Response Teams, groups of professionals and volunteers including forensic nurse examiners, rape crisis advocates, and law enforcement officers to provide immediate assistance to people who have been affected by sexual assault.
Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT): AVANZAR trains volunteers in police departments across New Jersey to become certified crisis counselors as part of their domestic violence response protocols. When an incident occurs, these volunteers help people who have been affected with quality supportive services, including counseling, assistance obtaining a restraining order, and finding safe housing. Volunteers are also able to provide domestic violence awareness and prevention education.
Sexual Assault Volunteer Coordinator: AVANZAR allows our volunteers to become crisis advocates through a comprehensive 40-hour training program, culminating in traveling to local hospitals and police departments to help people who have been sexually assaulted.
Primary Prevention Specialist: AVANZAR offers coordinated education and training to the community as it relates to the prevention of rape and sexual assault. Training topics consist of healthy relationships highlighting safe dating practices (regardless of gender) to avoid abusive relationship dynamics. Media Literacy enables more critical and thoughtful views of pop culture and recognition of harmful tropes such as the objectification of women and romanticization of abuse.
Community Education: We create customized training and presentations available to all interested professional and community organizations seeking a greater understanding of domestic violence and sexual assault issues and guidance on how members can help. For more information on community education, please email your request to JuWana McNear at juwana.mcnear@avanzarnow.org.
The Clothesline Project: Inspired by iconic collective works of activist art such as the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, the AVANZAR Clothesline Project draws attention to the pervasiveness of violence through bold visuals. This project displays shirts hung on a clothesline, each decorated by someone who has been the victim of assault or someone who cares about them. For more information on the Clothesline Project or to submit a request, please contact Donna D’Andrea at Donna.Dandrea@avanzarnow.org.
Contact Us for More Information
To begin receiving help or learn more about any of our programs or services listed above, get in touch with us online now. If you are in immediate need of assistance, please contact our 24-hour hotline: 1-800-286-4184.
