verizonnjcommunityupdate.com

Working with domestic abuse victims can be an emotionally trying experience for those organizations charged with dealing with that issue. So, it’s always beneficial to hear and share experiences with other professionals in the field.

That was the case earlier this month when the New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women and the Rutgers University Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance hosted the ninth annual conference on domestic violence entitled "Domestic Violence: It's Everyone's Issue.” A $10,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation helped support the conference, which was held at Rutgers' Busch Campus.

"Each year, there are thousands of tragic domestic violence cases in New Jersey whose victims are men as well as women," said Doug Schoenberger, Verizon New Jersey's vice president of public policy and corporate responsibility.  "Verizon was proud to co-sponsor this conference that helps prepare dedicated professionals to respond to this epidemic."

Among the topics discussed at the conference were: the abuse of people with disabilities; coping with the aftermath of abuse; male-perpetrated domestic violence and homicide; addressing the cultural needs of domestic violence survivors; and the affect of substance abuse and depression on incidents of domestic violence.

The highlight of the conference - organized by Lynda M. Carson, research and communications administrator for the New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women – was Victor Rivas Rivers' keynote address.

Rivers, the actor, author and domestic violence prevention advocate, was the keynote speaker at a day-long conference. Rivers is the national spokesperson for the National Network to End Domestic Violence and is a Community Champion for the Verizon Foundation. He is also author of the best-selling memoir "A Private Family Matter," which recounts his personal story of childhood abuse.

A veteran of more than two dozen films, Rivers is best known for such roles as Antonio Banderas' brother in "The Mask of Zorro" and Eddie Murphy's sidekick in "The Distinguished Gentleman." He was also featured in the acclaimed PBS documentary "Breaking the Silence: Journeys of Hope."

“Domestic violence advocates have a tough job and rarely see the long term outcomes of their advocacy,” said Carson. “Victor’s inspirational success story reminds us of what it was like for victims and their children before the domestic violence field established shelter and advocacy programs. It also gives us insight into how people can heal after abuse and use their experiences to give back to the community, We really appreciate Verizon’s financial support which made it possible to take our annual conference to another level..”