Hudson County Nonprofit Uses Ring Doorbells To Help Domestic Violence Survivors

JERSEY CITY, NJ — WomenRising Inc., a Jersey City-based nonprofit, wrapped up domestic violence awareness month with the announcement of a new tool in supporting domestic violence survivors: Ring doorbells.

WomenRising will directly receive up to 1,000 devices from Ring to supplement WomenRising’s resources and support measures for survivors of domestic violence across Hudson County. Ring also provided the organization with a $20,000 donation to continue its work. The organization worked alongside Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) and a Ring representative to make the initiative happen.

On average, more than three women and one man are killed by their intimate partners in the U.S. every day according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Violence against partners occurs predominantly at home behind closed doors, where it is easier for abuse to take place without immediate intervention. WomenRising actively works with survivors to provide the necessary safety tools to navigate through difficult situations.

With Ring’s donation, survivors can work with WomenRising advocates to have their safety measures supplemented with Ring Video Doorbells or Security Cameras, including a free Ring Protect subscription plan for the life of each donated device.

“Financial abuse is part of domestic violence and unfortunately many of our clients don’t have the financial flexibility to really invest in the security of their homes,” explained Joaneileen Coughlan, CSW Director of Domestic Violence Services. “This donation will help give them a peace of mind that they otherwise would not have been able to afford on their own, it’s an added layer of security.”

The devices will serve as part of an array of measures and tools WomenRising advocates already offer when working with survivors to develop safe exit plans while also providing crucial resources to support the wellbeing of victims.

“I commend WomenRising’s ongoing dedication and commitment to providing services for the victims of domestic violence, and thank Ring for the generous donation of these cameras,” said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. “Domestic violence is a serious problem that has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. That is why I voted recently for the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act to provide more than $4 million for New Jersey programs that prevent domestic violence and put a greater emphasis on preventative measures to stop domestic violence before it happens. We need to do everything we can to prevent domestic abuse in households across my district and the country.”