Monmouth County's Ask The Doctor Early Spring 2021

180 Turning Lives Around, Inc. Helping Survivors of Domestic &Sexual Violence By, Pam Teel

180 Turning Lives Around, Inc. offers hope and support and provides sur- vivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families with free and con- fidential programs and resources to process and heal from their experiences. At hand, are caring and experienced counselors who will listen, discuss your options, and provide resources to guide you through. You need to understand that you are not to blame for your experience of abuse and that you and your family deserve to live your life free of fear and full of promise. 180’s mission is to help create a pathway just for you to provide safety, healing, and independence. Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used to gain or maintain pow- er and control. However, spotting the signs of an unhealthy relationship can sometimes be difficult to see. Stress and anxiety may be found in any rela- tionship, but unhealthy and abusive relationships are an entirely different dy- namic. 180 counselors can discuss your particular experience and help you determine if you are experiencing domestic violence. Counselors can support you, provide advice, give you access to services, and help you develop a Safety Plan. (If you feel that you are a victim, read more about domestic violence at: https://180 NJ.org. If you are in immediate danger, contact 911). 180’s comprehensive support services are free and confidential, including 24/7 hotlines, counseling, legal advocacy, access to an emergency safe house, and art, play, drama & music therapy are available for children. Timeline of Accomplishments: 2019- Safe House offers pet-friendly housing to survivor families. 2017- Monmouth Family Justice Center (FJC) – 180 creates the county’s newest institution to offer victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault a one-stop location program to meet all of their immediate needs – reducing their trauma and helping victims and their children expedite the services with other agencies. LGBTQ outreach advocacy – 180 creates a program to provide outreach to the LGBTQ community, which becomes a model for the New Jersey Coalition against Sexual Assault and other state agencies. 2016- Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) – 180 wins federal funding to support victims of domestic violence/sexual assault who cannot afford legal support on their own. Milestone - serving over 1MILLION victims and their loved ones through its extensive programs and services. Emergency Safe House – 180 opens its doors to the new ADA safe house, one of the largest in the State, which is also the largest homeless facility in the County. The flagship Emergency Shelter is nearly double the capacity of the former shelter and the only emergency shelter in the State able to house adult male victims and their families. 2015- Keeping Families Together (KFT) – a DCF pilot program awarded to 180 and then further extended as a key 180 service to support Monmouth County families. 2010- Domestic Violence Liaison (DVL) – connects the State’s Department of Children and Families with an experienced 180 Domestic Violence support person, closing the loop between the State and 180’s services. 2008- 2ndFLOOR’s Youth Helpline goes Statewide, serving all of New Jer- sey’s youth. 2004- 2ndFLOOR – a youth helpline created as a pilot program to respond to crisis issues for the county’s youth, including support about dating abuse, cyber bullying, sex/sexuality, and mental health issues including suicide. The Women’s Center changes its name to 180 Turning Lives Around to con- vey the comprehensive and integrated programs and services available for families. 1998- Amanda’s Easel (AE) – a trauma-focused arts therapy program for children and their non-offending parents. Domestic Violence Response Teams (DVRT) – 180 trained advocates/coun- selors partner with municipal police to respond to the needs of domestic vio- lence victims where needed, including police stations and hospitals. 1997- Shore Regional Outreach Program (SROP) – 180 extends its reach into minority and immigrant communities providing culturally relevant services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

180 participates in the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) pilot pro- gram. 1996- Families in Transition (FIT) – 180 receives federal funding to provide temporary housing for families. Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART) – trained advocates/counselors re- spond to needs of sexual assault victims and their loved ones throughout the criminal justice system, including medical examinations and police proce- dures. 1989- Emergency Shelter – 180 opens its doors to the county’s first domestic violence emergency shelter to 7 families. 1986- The Family Court Liaison Program is implemented to assist victims in the process of obtaining restraining orders. 446 victims are helped the first year. Emergency Shelter – receiving funding for the first federally-funded battered women’s shelter in US. 1984- The NJ Prevention of Domestic Violence Act is signed into law en- abling victims to obtain restraining orders for police protection. 1976–1977- Advocacy/Counseling/Case management/Community Out- reach & Education – comprehensive services are initiated to address all needs victims and their children face as well as the community. Services include: individual and group counseling; case management support for welfare/food stamps, legal advocacy around divorce and separation issues, advocacy with the criminal justice system around issues like battering and rape, court ac- companiment, and trial preparation for rape victims. Community outreach and education is initiated. 1976- Since its inception in 1976, 180 has provided model programs in the field of rape care and family violence. It serves as the sole provider in Mon- mouth County of a wide range of comprehensive services to individuals and their families that relate to domestic and sexual violence. 180 is the only agen- cy in the County available on a 24-hour, seven days per-week basis. The Agen- cy remains the only Emergency Shelter in the County that offers a protected safe home for battered individuals and their children. 180 offer a wide array of programs concerned with positive approaches to safety and recovery from assault in all situations. The “Founding Mothers” house abused women in their own homes while applying for funding from the federal government to set up a shelter. The Women’s Resource and Survival Center (The Women’s Center) is incorporat- ed. The first Rape Hotline in Monmouth County is established by staff of The Women’s Center. Your support is needed now more than ever. Domestic violence and sexual assault do not just stop because of a crisis like COVID-19. When family stress- ors increase, violence and abuse can quickly escalate. It is in these very trying times that survivors need 180 even more, and they are determined to be there for everyone who needs their services. Hundreds of victims in Monmouth County phoned the hotline during the months of the pandemic. Many victims were left extremely vulnerable while they were quarantined with an abuser where both physical and emotional violence were dominating their lives and threatening the safety and well-being of their children. Donor support has enabled 180 to both remain open throughout this challenging time and adjust all of their services so that survivors can access the support they need. There are many ways you can donate to help these survivors. Please visit their website at: 180nj.org. you can also find them on Facebook. 180 Turning Lives Around, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organi- zation and receives financial support from individuals, government and civic agencies, faith-based organizations, corporations, and foundations. Gifts to 180 are tax-deductible to the full extent possible under IRS regulations. Contact us today: Domestic Violence: Call (888) 843-9262 | Sexual Violence: Call (888) 264-7273 Deaf & Hard of Hearing: Text (732) 977-2832 | 2NDFLOOR® Youth Helpline: Call or Text (888) 222-2228

ASK THE DOCTOR

EARLY SPRING 2021

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