Community Resource

Safe + Sound Somerset

(908) 359-0003
Hillsborough

Safe + Sound Somerset

The impact of domestic abuse is far-reaching and complicated. Safe+Sound Somerset empowers survivors, helps children heal and collaborates with the legal system to protect them. We build awareness within our community and talk about the dynamics of the cycle of violence.

Services:

Survivor Resources: Trauma informed services to support survivors of sexual violence 24/7 hotline, safety planning, power & control wheel, DV facts information, bilingual supports. Teens, parents and help for a friend available information.

Family Advocacy:  Community Resources and contact information.

Counseling: Educational and empowering programs such as, counseling, support groups, and specialized youth programs are offered for all age groups.  Individual and group counseling helps survivors heal from the trauma of domestic abuse. In a supportive environment, survivors use healthy coping strategies and relaxation techniques and begin their journey to a new life, free of abuse.

Supportive Listening: New clients are encouraged to join a supportive listening group. Participants meet for eight weeks to talk about the dynamics of domestic abuse and the cycle of violence. Facilitated by one of our advocates, this discussion group covers a variety of topics including power and control, healthy boundaries and warning signs of an abusive relationship. English and Spanish groups help participants learn that they are not alone.

Youth Programs: Children who witness domestic abuse often develop behavioral issues, learning disabilities and even developmental setbacks. Depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder are common in these children. They are at higher risk than their peers for alcohol and drug addiction, suicide, becoming abusive and being abused. Our youth programs are designed to help children greatly reduce these risks and to break the cycle of violence.

Our youth counselors are highly trained in a variety of proven methods to help these children heal, build coping skills, express feelings appropriately and explore healthy relationships. Creative arts, music, play and verbal therapies are applied in a safe setting to individuals and age appropriate groups.

Parental Support: Parenting is never easy. Parenting children who have witnessed abuse is very challenging. Our advocates work with individual parents and facilitate parenting groups to help them address their children’s needs. Topics include guilt, fear, trust, safety and discipline.

Family Therapy: Family therapy is offered to families in crisis who want to learn how to cope with issues together. It can help change family dynamics, heal relationships, build trust and improve communication between parents and children.

Crisis Intervention:  Domestic Violence Response Teams (DVRT): Domestic Violence Response Teams (DVRT) were first authorized in New Jersey in 1987 through the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. When police respond to a domestic violence call, the officer secures the safety of the victim and other family members and offers the assistance of the DVRT.

DVRT volunteers respond at the time of crisis to help victims get through the “golden hour” of intervention. The sooner assistance is offered to the victim, the more empowered they are to address the domestic abuse in their life. Data shows that early contact between a DVRT advocates and domestic abuse victims is a leading factor in reducing recidivism rates.

Safe Havens: Emergency Safe House: Safe+Sound Somerset provides short-term, emergency shelter in our safe house, also known as Victoria’s House, to survivors and their children who are seeking confidential refuge from an unsafe, abusive living situation. Located in a quiet setting, Victoria’s House is a place of healing with five private bedrooms, a comfortable living space and a common kitchen. There’s a playroom and fenced-in backyard where your children can play in a secure environment. All basic needs such as food, toiletries and clothing are provided to residents of Victoria’s House.

Transitional Housing: A Transitional Housing program helps domestic abuse survivors and their children bridge the gap between leaving an abusive home, emergency shelter and living independently. Four furnished apartments offer clients a private space to call home for 12 to 18 months while they work on goals toward securing permanent housing. This program is available to clients who are employed and/or enrolled in school.

Financial Empowerment: Safe+Sound Somerset’s Financial Literacy and Empowerment program supports survivors of domestic abuse in creating lives free from economic abuse and dependency. Services provided through our Financial Empowerment Center equip clients with the knowledge, skills, and tools to re-gain control of their finances and their future.

Legal Advocacy: Safe+Sound Somerset offers assistance to survivors who are navigating the often overwhelming legal system during crisis. We have a strong partnership with Somerset County Family Court who welcomes support from our team of legal advocates who help victims understand domestic violence laws, their rights within the legal system and the process of obtaining a court order of protection (restraining order).

SPEAK Outreach & Violence Prevention: Safe+Sound Somerset’s SPEAK Outreach and Violence Prevention utilizes a socio-ecological model of prevention to create change and transform environments. SPEAK reduces violence and promotes safety by providing evidence-informed prevention and intervention programing in Somerset County, increasing the capacity of community members to understand, recognize, and respond to all forms of domestic violence and teen dating violence.

Age Groups
  • Children
  • Adolescents
  • Adults
Community Services
Basic Needs / Assistance
Community
Family & Support Services
Legal / Advocacy
Health Services
Crisis / Safety
Treatment Services
Outpatient Services
Payment Options
  • Low Cost / Donation
  • Self Pay
Language Spoken
  • Spanish
Areas Served
  • Somerset County

Last Updated: 10/04/21