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News & Media
Women Aware on Law on the Line
FJC Director of Legal Resources Ellen Schwartz, Esq. talks about domestic violence and services for victim-survivors
Middlesex County Family Justice Center Director of Legal Resources Ellen Schwartz, Esq. recently sat down with Law on the Line host Robert Goodwin to talk about domestic violence and the services and resources available to victim-survivors of abuse and their children in Middlesex County, NJ. Law on the Line airs on Piscataway Community Television. Click here to watch the segment.
To learn more about the Middlesex County FJC, visit middlesexcountyfjc.org.
Save the Date – March 28
Dine at HONEYGROW - 20% of Proceeds Go to Women Aware
In recognition of International Women’s Month, Women Aware invites you to dine at honeygrow, 36 College Ave., New Brunswick on Wednesday, March 6 between 10:30am and 10:30pm.
20% of proceeds will support Women Aware’s free and confidential services for victim-survivors.
Use Promo Code GIVE110 on the honeygrow app, at honeygrow.com, or in store at the kiosk before checking out.
RSVP at HTTPS://GROUPRAI.SE/S274029
YOU can empower victim-survivors of domestic violence with the services they need to move beyond abuse to health, self-sufficient lives. Thank you!
Middlesex County FJC Hosts “Domestic Violence: The Judicial Perspective” March 5, 2024
Hon. John A. Jorgensen, Judge of the Superior Court of Middlesex County, Family Part (Ret) Presents
The Middlesex County Family Justice Center invites the community to attend a virtual, unique and informative presentation on how judges look at domestic violence cases.
Presenter is Hon. John A. Jorgensen, Judge of the Superior Court of Middlesex County, Family Part (Ret).
Date: March 5, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
To join the Zoom meeting, click this link.
Meeting ID: 862 8273 8645
Passcode: 479600
Please join us.
Board of Trustees Names New Officer
Siyan Bradley Appointed Board Vice President
The Women Aware Board of Trustees recently announced the appointment of Siyan Bradley as Board Vice President. Mr. Bradley joined the Board of the state-designated lead domestic violence agency for Middlesex County, NJ in 2019.
Mr. Bradley graduated from Keller Graduate School of Management with a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree with a concentration in Project Management. He is employed as a Program Manager at L3harris in Bristol, PA. Mr. Bradley founded The Renee J. Bradley Foundation, dedicated to preventing domestic violence, as he was determined not to allow his mother’s death by violence to be in vain.
He has been featured on WBJLRADIO.COM and recognized by the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV) with the “NJ Men of Strength” award. Mr. Bradley is a dedicated member of the Cathedral International in Perth Amboy, NJ. He is married to Nicole Little Bradley, and they have three children.
“Siyan truly carries our cause in his heart,” said Women Aware Board President Diane Palmer. “After his mother was tragically killed, he honored her life by establishing a foundation in her memory to prevent domestic violence and educate young people about abuse. Siyan is an enthusiastic, active Board member and a powerful advocate for victims. I am excited to have him join the Board leadership team at Women Aware.”
“Since connecting with Women Aware in 2007, which was the year after my mother’s tragic death, I have been dedicated to helping individuals move beyond abuse,” said Mr. Bradley. “That dedication led me in joining Women Aware’s Board of Trustees in 2019, and now in my new role as Vice President of the Board, I renew my commitment to seeing a world free of domestic violence. I’m excited to be a part of an excellent Board and an amazing team at Women Aware.”
Advocacy Leads to Action
NJ State Senate Adds "Coercive Control" Language to Prevention of Domestic Violence Act
The NJ State Senate voted December 11, 2023, 34-0, to add “coercive control” language to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. Once Governor Phil Murphy signs it into law, this language will require judges to consider the impact of coercive control exercised on victims by their abusers, in deciding whether to grant a Final Restraining Order. The passage of this legislation is the result of tireless efforts by the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence, and a number of advocate groups, organizations and individuals, who recognized the importance of including this language in NJ statute. This legislation will continue to help victims move beyond abuse.
We believe victims
Women Aware Produces Law Video Series on Victims’ Rights
"Victims' Rights: Understanding and Accessing the Protections Afforded by Law"
Women Aware recently produced a series of law videos titled, “Victims’ Rights: Understanding and Accessing the Protections Afforded by Law.” This project is co-sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and made possible through funding from the IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey. The videos are available on Women Aware’s YouTube channel.
The 5 to 10-minute videos address the topics of Restraining Orders, Immigration, Child Custody, Sexual Assault, and Victims’ Rights/Victim Advocacy. They feature attorneys and advocates from Women Aware, the lead domestic violence agency in Middlesex County, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Middlesex County Center for Empowerment, and Central Jersey Legal Services. Videos were filmed in English, Spanish, and Urdu to educate the diverse communities that make up Middlesex County.
“We are fortunate to have bilingual in-house experts and partners in the Middlesex County Family Justice Center who provide practical information on these challenging topics,” explained Women Aware CEO Phyllis Yonta. “Our hope is these videos will prompt victim-survivors to contact Women Aware or the Family Justice Center for direct assistance. We are grateful to the New State Bar Foundation and IOLTA for making this educational outreach possible.”
Individuals seeking additional information can contact Women Aware’s 24-hour hotline at 732-249-4504 or toll-free at 833-249-4504 or walk in to the Middlesex County Family Justice Center to speak with an advocate. The FJC is located at 100 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The information provided in the vides is offered by attorneys and advocates who practice in various areas related to domestic violence, as well as some Women Aware staff. The material provided in these videos is for informational purposes only; it is not intended to take the place of legal advice provided by an individual’s attorney. There is no attorney-client relationship created through these videos; Women Aware’s goal is to inform and educate the public, and to answer some frequently-asked questions about a number of topics under the broad umbrella of domestic violence.
2023 Moving Beyond Abuse 5K & Charity Walk Sponsors
Thank you for your generosity!
FINISH LINE SPONSOR
Enbridge Corporation
AWARDS SPONSOR
Kaplan Companies
Trackmind
RACE DAY SPONSOR
Independence Wealth Partners
Stark & Stark Attorneys at Law
Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas, LLP
Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation
Olympus Construction
Wegmans
Torcon
L’Oreal USA – Franklin Manufacturing
NEIGHBOR SPONSOR
Fresh Ponds Farm
The Bank of Princeton
Charlotte and Joe Camarota
Brilliant Image Cleaning Services
Alcove Private Wealth
Monmouth Mobile Home Park
FRIEND SPONSOR
Schechner Lifson
PKF O’Connor Davies
Olmec
Northeastern Benefit Services
Edward Leske
Citizens Philanthropic Foundation
Universal Windows Direct
Matthew Flannery
Diane and Glenn Palmer
Bright Horizons
Brunswick Tire & Auto
Philly Yonta
WorkHard Fitness