Center for Hope & Safety Reports Domestic Violence Statistics for Bergen County

Reports a 292% Increase in Services Other than Shelter for Domestic Violence Survivors

Rochelle Park, N.J. (April 24, 2025) – Center for Hope & Safety, (CHS) formerly known as Shelter Our Sisters, a nonprofit organization committed to helping adults and children in Bergen County rebuild their lives from domestic violence, has released its 2024 program statistics, which show high rates of domestic violence in Bergen County. In 2024, CHS reported serving 1,488 individuals and received 5,121 calls to its free 24/7 hotline. Underscoring the growing need for comprehensive support beyond shelter, over a 20 year period, CHS reported a 292% increase in services provided outside of its shelter programs which include critical resources that help survivors rebuild their lives and maintain long-term independence.

CHS’ Safe House Program sheltered 190 victims in 2024, including 85 children. Its Transitional Housing Program provided shelter to 27 adults/families and 24 children, with 12 of those households graduating to permanent housing. CHS also increased support to clients to help them with housing stability by providing direct financial assistance for rental arrears, rent (short-term basis), moving costs, storage fees, and other expenses that support clients’ housing stability. 

Through the Domestic Violence Liaison Program, CHS supported 548 families, providing consultation to the Division of Child Protection & Permanency staff and clients, as well as training for protective service workers on domestic violence issues.

Additionally, CHS’ Project CHILD Program, which offers group and individual creative arts therapy, provided services to 54 children ages 4 through 12 affected by domestic violence. Through Project CHILD, 33 families were connected to counseling, parenting skills, and case management services. Eighty percent of the children who completed the program showed improved emotional, cognitive and behavioral development and 96% of families who completed the program showed improved family functioning.

Further underscoring the critical need for comprehensive services, in 2024 CHS’ Legal Services Program, which provides free legal representation, advice and counsel on issues such as restraining orders, custody, visitation, child support and spousal support, helped 355 individuals with 703 legal matters. The legal team also worked closely with law enforcement, accompanying clients to interviews with prosecutors and detectives, and represented them in emergency court motions.

To further help break the cycle of abuse, CHS’ Community Services team served 277 families through weekly support group meetings, safety planning, risk assessment, career counseling, housing support and financial literacy education.

"Domestic abuse remains a serious issue in our communities," said Julye Myner, Chief Executive Officer of Center for Hope & Safety. "We want survivors and the community to know that help is available 24/7 and that we are more than a safe house. Our array of services help domestic violence survivors rebuild their lives and break the cycle of abuse.”

Founded in 1976, Center for Hope & Safety has spent over four decades working to ensure that every person is granted the ability to feel safe, empowered, and free from violence. The agency offers a wide range of services designed to help both individuals and their children escape from domestic violence situations, as well as resources for fostering new beginnings, including safe housing, escape planning, financial workshops, career assistance and free legal services.

To learn more about CHS’s impact, please visit https://www.hopeandsafetynj.org/about-us/our-impact/.

For immediate access to crisis intervention, counseling and referrals, including enrollment in CHS’ safe house for you or someone you know, call (201) 944-9600 or visit https://www.hopeandsafetynj.org/.

To support CHS and ensure that domestic violence survivors and their children have access to life-saving services, safe housing safety, and support, please consider donating at: https://www.hopeandsafetynj.org/give-help/donate/

About Center for Hope & Safety

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. Since 1976, Center for Hope & Safety has been providing a safe haven and critical support services for domestic violence survivors and their children. Our mission is to assist adults and children who are victims of domestic violence, including emotional, economic, sexual, and physical abuse. We offer a full spectrum of free services designed to help survivors be safe, heal and thrive, including confidential safe housing, risk assessments, safety planning, counseling, advocacy, support groups, career counseling, legal services and creative arts therapy for children. Our free, confidential hotline operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year - call (201) 944-9600. For more information, visit https://www.hopeandsafetynj.org/.