[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JERSEY BATTERED WOMEN'S SERVICE

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 13, 2016

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr Speaker, I rise today to honor the Jersey 
Battered Women's Service located in Morristown, Morris County, New 
Jersey as it celebrates its 40th Anniversary.
  The Jersey Battered Women's Service, or JBWS, began as a hotline for 
victims of domestic violence. However, after the murders of two callers 
by their husbands, the small group of female pioneers responsible for 
the original hotline recognized the dire need for a greater service for 
domestic violence victims in New Jersey. In 1978, the Jersey Battered 
Women's Shelter opened its doors to those requiring refuge from 
violence at home. Today, it operates as a full-service, private, not-
for-profit domestic violence agency.
  The Jersey Battered Women's Service is a multi-faceted operation, 
focused not just on providing protection to survivors, but also on 
helping these individuals rebuild and restart their lives. JBWS is 
heavily involved in raising awareness for domestic violence, 
specifically through providing education services on the consequences 
of domestic violence and how it can be prevented. The organization is 
notable for its domestic violence advocacy efforts and its mission to 
improve the rights of survivors. The shelter aims to empower the women 
who seek its safety, transforming them from victims to survivors. 
Ultimately, the goal of the Jersey Battered Women's Service is to 
create a community culture that refuses to tolerate partner and family 
violence of any sort.
  Alongside staff, the over 120 Jersey Battered Women's Service 
volunteers dedicate their time and energy to combating domestic 
violence. Services JBWS offers include legal assistance, victim 
services and shelter, counseling for friends and family members of 
survivors, batterer's intervention, child services and protection, and 
teen dating abuse protection and prevention services. These services, 
and the efforts of volunteers, have been crucial in helping survivors 
and their families rise above the abuse.
  The 40th Anniversary of the Jersey Battered Women's Service is marked 
by the grand opening of the Morris Family Justice Center. This 
comprehensive center combines various organizations to provide 
counseling, protection, legal and immigration assistance, and 
children's services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, 
all conveniently in one location.
  For forty years, the Jersey Battered Women's Shelter has provided 
protection and support for survivors of domestic violence. The 
organization has made incredible strides in increasing domestic 
violence awareness and strengthening education about relationship and 
familial violence. I commend the Jersey Battered Women's Service for 
the remarkable contributions they have made to New Jersey.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring the Jersey Battered 
Women's Service as the organization celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

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