1,600 Kids, Adults In Bergen County Needed Domestic Violence Help Last Year. Vigil Planned

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — By late October of last year in New Jersey, 17 women, five children, and two men were killed in domestic violence incidents, some by angry partners or exes, others by adult children.

They got no chance to rebuild or live a life free of abuse.

The Center for Hope & Safety, a domestic violence agency in Bergen County, last year provided support for more than 1,600 Bergen County adults and children in Bergen County alone, they said this week.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and they're planning events to educate and remember.

Even If You're Helping A Friend Plan To Leave

The agency is available to help those worried about domestic violence, whether on behalf of themselves or someone they know.

They've provided support and transitional housing to hundreds of adults and children over the years.

Julie Myner of the Center for Hope and Safety in Bergen County noted last year that people may be afraid to leave because of risks to children or pets if they try, or numerous other reasons. "We can give them the tools to keep themselves safe and tools to begin exit planning in case of violence," she told Patch last year.

Vigil Planned For Tuesday

On Tuesday, as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, they will hold their annual candlelight vigil for lives lost to domestic violence.

90 percent of homicides in Bergen County are due to domestic violence, they said.

Below are the details of the vigil.

Each county in New Jersey has a designated agency to help with domestic violence. If you need help, see the phone numbers and links at the end of this story.

Vigil Logistics

‘Light Up the Night Against Domestic Violence’ Candlelight Vigil to Help Raise Awareness and Remember Lives Lost. Tuesday, Oct. 8, 6:15 p.m., Van Saun County Park, 216 Forest Ave., Lot 4, Paramus.

The Center for Hope & Safety, formerly Shelter our Sisters, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adults and children in Bergen County rebuild their lives beyond domestic violence.

The 12th Annual Candlelight Vigil will memorialize victims, celebrate survivors, and bring together those committed to ending domestic violence.

Attendees, including domestic violence survivors and family members of victims, will be encouraged to share their stories of survivorship, hope, healing and remembrance throughout the vigil.

"Ninety percent of homicides in Bergen County are connected to domestic violence, highlighting the urgency of removing victims and their children from dangerous situations before they escalate," the center said in a release.

In 2023, Center for Hope & Safety served more than 1,600 Bergen County residents, providing legal counsel, employment support services, and therapeutic programs for children.

Since 1976, Center for Hope & Safety has been providing a safe haven and critical support services for domestic violence survivors and their children. Their free, confidential hotline operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year: (201) 944-9600 or https://www.hopeandsafetynj.or...

Where To Get Help

In an emergency, call 911.

In Bergen County, to talk about domestic violence services, plans, and housing, call (201) 944-9600 or visit: https://www.hopeandsafetynj.org/.

The national domestic violence hotline, reachable through phone, text, or chat, is 800-799-SAFE (7233), or you can text "Start" to 88788 to reach them by text.

The New Jersey hotline is 1-800-572-SAFE (7233). The list of county agencies is here, and other information on how to protect oneself legally in New Jersey is here.

In the past, an advocacy group in Essex County sought volunteers for its court advocacy program, to assist and support victims. READ MORE: Essex County Volunteers Needed For Domestic Violence Court Program