Boro seeks volunteers to help victims of abuse
BY MICHAEL ACKER
Staff Writer

Sayreville

SAYREVILLE - Police are seeking volunteers for the borough's Domestic Violence Response Team.

Sgt. Sean O'Donnell is liaison officer for the response team, along with Patrolman Charles Blazas. The team, which formed in 1998, has 12 members.

"We are existing and it's fine, but more members would enable the team to provide more daytime coverage and eliminate some of the burden on those who often have to cover several nights a month," O'Donnell said.

The Uniform Crime Statistics Report, published annually by the New Jersey State Police, indicates that there were 150 incidents of domestic violence reported in Sayreville during 2005, which is the lowest number recorded for the borough in the past three annual reports.

Sayreville, with an area of 16.6 square miles and 2,570 people per square mile as of 2004, has seen its population increase from 41,768 residents in 2002 to 42,663 in 2004, according to the report.

Over that period of time, the number of reported incidents of domestic violence fluctuated, according to the report, with 207 in 2002, 182 in 2003, and 240 the next year.

The response team works with the police department and is directed by Women Aware Inc., the only agency in Middlesex County providing services for victims of domestic violence and shelter for battered women and children. Women Aware, which helps area response teams train their members, relies on private donations to fund services and special programs for over 12,000 battered women annually, according to its Web site.

The 27-year-old nonprofit organization will recognize the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The monthlong observance of the struggle of battered women grew out of the Day of Unity, which was intended to connect battered women's advocates nationwide, according to the Web site of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. It is now observed internationally.

Male and female volunteers are welcome on Sayreville's response team, but they must be over the age of 18, pass a police background check and not have a criminal history, O'Donnell said.

Volunteers, who attend 40 hours of training before admittance, can help prevent future occurrences of domestic violence and allow officers the time to obtain restraining orders and do other work involving criminal complaints that is often time-consuming.

"It is a great way for people to volunteer and help out the community," O'Donnell said. "People do not realize that their own neighbor may have a problem and we advise counselors that they could be working with people who they see around town. Domestic violence is a problem seen at all levels of our society."

Anita Belson, of South Amboy, has been volunteering with the response team for seven years. She told the Suburban that not only does the borough need volunteers for the response team, but the state needs more shelters for battered women. Victims who fear returning home to their abusers are often unable to find vacancies in area shelters, which rely on donations as well, Belson said.

Domestic Violence Response Team members in Sayreville are on call from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the dates they agree to be available, Belson said.

"We are often told that the victim does not want to meet anybody, but [the police] are supposed to call us regardless. I come down anyway," she said. "I just want to get them literature, and at first it is intimidating. They are scared and hurt."

The counselor also goes over restraining orders with the victim and helps prepare the complainant for court. Victims can also have a legal advocate from Women Aware to lend them support, Belson added.

"We meet with the victim and listen to what happened that brought them to headquarters," Belson said. "The experience is so traumatic for these women. They may have no money, [the husband] has the bank account, and they need food for the children. These things need to be addressed."

For more information on the response team, call the Sayreville Police Department at (732) 525-5400.