Center for Hope and Safety Releases Statistics Showing Record High Incidents of Domestic Violence

Rochelle Park, N.J. (April 11, 2022) –Center for Hope and Safety (CHS), Bergen County’s only not-for-profit agency dedicated to helping adults and children rebuild their lives beyond domestic violence and abuse, has released its 2021 program statistics which show record high incidents of domestic violence.

Calls to CHS’ free, 24/7 hotline totaled 7,508 representing a 23% increase over 2020 when numbers had already increased by 46% and a 50% increase in call volume from the prior 10-year average.

As our communities continued to navigate the threats and challenges of the pandemic, the risk and incidents of domestic abuse surged. CHS saw an unprecedented high number of domestic violence survivors seek safety through its Safe House Program sheltering 222 adults and children representing a 25% increase from the 10-year average of 176 further demonstrating the severity and prevalence of domestic abuse in our communities. Additionally, the length of stay in the Safe House Program more than doubled due to challenges caused by the pandemic.

As a Domestic Violence Liaison to the NJ Department of Children and Families, Division of Child Protection and Permanency, CHS served 558 families impacted by domestic abuse. That represents a more than 50% increase in families served from the prior 10-year average of 371.

Further underscoring the critical need for the comprehensive services CHS provides is its legal services program which provides free legal representation, advice and counsel on restraining orders, appeals and emergent custody, visitation, child support, and spousal support. Throughout 2021 CHS’ legal service program served 314 individuals helping them to navigate more than 500 legal matters to sustain safety and establish a path forward free from domestic abuse.

“The numbers are startling, but they show that the need for our domestic violence programs and services is more critical than ever,” said Julye Myner, PhD, Executive Director of Center for Hope and Safety. “We remain committed to helping domestic abuse victims and their children find safety and provide the support and resources they need to sustain it. No one should feel unsafe in their own home, and it takes true strength and courage to reach out and ask for help. We’ll continue to answer that call for help for anyone experiencing the many forms of domestic violence including emotional, economic, sexual and physical abuse. We are here to help domestic abuse victims heal and grow through a wide range of services that gives them the tools they need to leave the violence and empowers them to start a new beginning.”

Founded in 1976, Center for Hope and 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 towards fostering new beginnings including safe housing, escape planning, financial workshops, career assistance and free legal services.

For immediate access to crisis intervention, counseling and referrals including enrollment in our 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 and Safety

Center for Hope and Safety is Bergen County’s only not-for-profit agency dedicated to helping adults and children rebuild their lives beyond domestic violence. Since 1976, Center for Hope and Safety has been providing a safe haven and critical support services for domestic violence survivors and their children throughout Bergen County. 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 address and support emotional, physical and financial healing, including a legal services program to provide free legal representation, advice and counsel on restraining orders, appeals and emergent custody, visitation, child support, spousal support and other domestic violence family law matters. Our free, confidential hotline answers more than 7,500 calls a year and operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year. For immediate access to crisis intervention, counseling and referrals including enrollment in our safe house call (201) 944-9600 or visit: https://www.hopeandsafetynj.org/.