Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack Adds Domestic Violence Waiting Room for Victims of Domestic Violence, Restored Children’s Court Care Center for Children of Litigants
By Travis Tormey posted in Domestic Violence on Friday, June 21, 2013
Last month, the Bergen County courthouse in Hackensack NJ held a ceremonial opening of a Waiting Room for domestic violence victims. Interested parties also gathered for a ceremonial re-opening of a refurbished Children’s Court Care Center at the courthouse.
Domestic violence victims awaiting hearings in the Bergen County courthouse will now have a place to go so that they can avoid encountering the persons they have accused. Additionally, the courthouse now has a restored space and play area where parents attending court matters can safely drop off their children.
The Waiting Room figures to play an especially important role in providing victims of domestic crisis with a more effective way of dealing with the trauma by giving them a separate area in the courtroom in which they can feel secure.
According to the Superior Court assignment judge, roughly ten (10) domestic violence complaints are filed each day in the Bergen County.
Because of the high number of domestic violence victims passing through the court, it was determined that a strong need existed for a separate waiting area. The Bergen Family Court and Bergen County domestic violence services providers such as the National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section joined forces to push the project to completion. Independent organizations donated everything from furniture to flooring.
The Waiting Room was initially set to open in October 2012, but Superstorm Sandy delayed the opening until last month.
The storm also damaged the Children’s Court Care Center, causing the center to be closed for an extended period while the facilities were restored. During the storm, water seeped into the center from a conjoined courtroom that was entirely underwater.
Organizers said that private organizations such as the Benson Family Fund were tremendously helpful in aiding the children’s center reopening by donating items such as furniture.
Both the Waiting Room and the Children’s Court Care Center will be open during the Bergen County courthouse’s normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
For more information, see the NorthJersey.com article entitled “At Bergen County Courthouse, New Rooms to Safeguard Domestic-Abuse Victims, Handle Kids.“
