Montclair Police Seek Domestic Violence Response Team Volunteers

The Montclair Police Department announced it is looking for volunteers for its Domestic Violence Response Team.

The Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) was state mandated in 2000 and is a group of volunteers trained to assist victims of domestic abuse by offering victims support, alternatives and referrals. DVRT volunteers help victims of domestic violence feel less isolated and alone and respond to the police department to provide emotional support, information on domestic violence, community resources and a safety plan.

DVRT Member Objectives:

To decrease the emotional trauma experienced by victims through:

• Providing victims an opportunity to express their emotional response to their crisis
• Educating victims about the dynamics of domestic violence

To increase a victim’s ability to make an educated decision about their options by:

• Increasing the victim’s awareness of available community resources
• Increasing the victim’s awareness of available legal options and their understanding of the legal process

To increase the victim’s access to community resources by:

• Providing the victim with the necessary information to access available resources
• Assisting the victim in contacting available community resources

Those interested in volunteering for the DVRT can download the DVRT application form on the Montclair Police Department website or contact the Montclair DVRT Coordinator Gerri Powell at 973-509-7543.

(Image courtesy of the Montclair Police Department)