Even if you are not in need of emergency shelter, you may benefit from PCDSVS Crisis Intervention and Counseling Services which are available to all survivors (men, women, and children ages 13+) of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. These services are confidential and free of charge.

Hotline

PCDSVS offers a 24-hour hotline for anyone seeking emotional support and/or information about domestic violence, sexual assault, or any of our programs. We can also provide referrals to our community partners for other types of assistance. Please call our hotline number 973-881-1450 to speak with a PCDSVS hotline worker.

Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT)

PCDSVS offers Domestic Violence Response Teams in each of our municipal police departments. Trained volunteers are available to respond to local police departments to meet with survivors of domestic violence at the time of crisis to provide support, information, resources, and referrals. For a complete description about this program and how to become a part of it, please click here: DVRT Volunteer.

Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)

PCDSVS participates as a member of the county-wide Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). Volunteers are trained as Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates (CSVA’s) to respond to local hospitals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, whenever a survivor of a sexual assault (age 13+) presents to the Emergency Room. The CSVA provides emotional support, information, resources, and referrals to survivors to support them as they decide what steps they would like to take next. One of many options available to survivors is a forensic exam where a specially-trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) collects any evidence that may be on the survivor’s body to assist in prosecution of the assailant. To find out more about how to become a CSVA with PCDSVS, please click here: SART Volunteer.

Supportive Case Management

Located at 1027 Madison Ave. in Paterson, trained case managers provide one-on-one supportive case management. This includes, but is not limited to, education; referrals; advocacy to social service agencies; and accompaniment to court, hospitals, and police departments.

Individual Counseling

Any type of domestic violence or sexual assault can be a traumatic experience. Through counseling, survivors can work with a counselor to decrease the emotional stress that often occurs as a result of domestic violence or sexual assault. In a safe and confidential setting, counseling is provided to survivors age 13 and up, and any friends or family who may be affected by the trauma as well. (For our children’s services, please click here.) If you would like to make an appointment, please call 973-881-0725. Walk-ins are welcome on business days between 9:00am – 5:00pm.

Support Groups

Support groups are available for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, age 13 and up, at various times throughout the year. (For our children’s services, please click here.) Survivors often benefit from support groups because they can connect with other survivors in a safe environment, with facilitation by a trained professional. In addition to feeling a connection with others, survivors benefit from using a variety of methods of healing such as talk, art, and other psychoeducational activities. And most of all, survivors come to realize that they are not alone. Please call 973-881-0725 to find out more information about our current groups.