October marks domestic violence awareness month.
In New Jersey, the call to action to combat domestic violence was marked in part by the renaming of the New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women to the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence.
On Oct. 1 at the steps of the New Jersey State House in Trenton, the New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women held a press conference.
“Today, I am proud to announce that the coalition will now be known as the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV). We are making this change to reflect our broader goal of preventing and ultimately ending domestic violence for every victim,” said Jane Shivas, executive director of NJCEDV.
The coalition’s name change and enhanced mission reflect a renewed commitment to ending domestic violence.
“Since 1978, the New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women has had the privilege to serve as a statewide association providing leadership, support and resources on the response and prevention of violence against women in New Jersey,” Shivas said.
Despite the advancement in laws and the number of services available to victims of domestic violence, New Jersey still experiences a high rate of domestic violence incidents, including the most fatal types of incidents, according to a press release from NJCEDV.
The organization highlighted the work that has begun and the work it plans to continue in an effort to create partnerships that not only respond to domestic violence, but offer solutions that name domestic violence in conversations, in interventions and in media reports and stories; acknowledge that domestic violence happens in every community to individuals of all backgrounds and cultures regardless of sex, gender, ability, race, religion, socio-economic status or education level; enhance understanding of domestic violence, including its root causes and risk factors; promote healthy relationships for children, teens and adults; and build communities in which violence is not tolerated.
The new campaign of NJCEDV, Domestic Violence Affects Everyone. Let’s #endDVinNJ, can be seen on billboards throughout the state and online.
Shivas ended the event with an immediate call to action inviting attendees to visit the NJCEDV website, www.NJCEDV.org, to learn more about the organization and its programs.