DVRT Volunteers

DVRT is a very unique volunteer experience.

What is the Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT)?

The DVRT program is a partnership between the lead, state designated domestic violence agency for Camden County (CCDVS) and the local police departments in Camden County. Through team building, training, and partnership - both CCDVS and the police departments work together to prevent further domestic violence in the community. In order to practice this prevention, CCDVS recruits, trains, and maintains volunteer advocates to respond to police activations.

The DVRT program was state mandated in 2000 with the knowledge that victims of domestic violence are often isolated and trapped in abusive relationships. Studies demonstrate that victims of domestic violence are 3x more likely to return to their abusers if they are provided with little or no support. Police officers provide protection to victims of domestic violence by arresting and processing the batterer, while DVRT volunteer advocates help the victim to feel less isolated and alone. DVRT volunteers provide emotional support, information on domestic violence, community resources, and safety planning.

Who is on the Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT)?

The DVRT is made up of esteemed men and women who graciously volunteer their time and energies towards providing alternatives, and referrals to victims of domestic violence in crisis. All volunteers are volunteers of CCDVS, not the township police departments.

DVRT Member Objectives:

1. To decrease the emotional trauma experienced by victims through:

- Providing victims an opportunity to express their emotional response to their crisis

- Educating victims about the dynamics of domestic violence

2. To increase a victim's ability to make an educated decision about their options by:

- Increasing the victim's awareness of available community resources

- Increasing the victim's awareness of available legal options and their understanding of the legal process

3. To increase the victim's access to community resources by:

- Providing the victim with the necessary information to access available resources

- Assisting the victim in contacting available community resources

What kind of training is required to become a DVRT Volunteer Advocate?

All members of DVRT, and any volunteer opportunity with CCDVS involving direct service to clients, requires a 40-hour Domestic Violence Training completion. This training is offered free to volunteers, but certification will not be administered until a full year of active volunteering is completed.

What are the qualifications?

• Volunteers should have computer skills which allow them to schedule themselves, log time, and correspond to emails and webinars, as needed.

• After the training, volunteers do not need to be re-certified, but they are required to attend quarterly team meetings, and attend biannual trainings to keep updated information and resources handy.

• Volunteers should give availability about 4-5 times a month of shifts in the length of 6 hours (ie. 6p-12a or 12a-6a, or 12p-12a) with one shift occurring on the weekend. ***Important to note that these are ON CALL shifts meaning that there is a chance you will not be utilized during your shift due to no police activations. Your shifts are a donation of your time: saying you will be available if a victim needs you.. you would be just a phone call away!

• Volunteers of CCDVS also act as community ambassadors which provide representation at events and tabling fairs. There are many opportunities outside of this too!

• Other Requirements

  • Must be a Camden County Resident

  • Must be 18 years of age or older

  • Must have a valid NJ Driver’s License and reliable transportation

  • Must have no criminal history (Police Department will conduct a thorough criminal background check on all applicants)

  • Must be a good listener

  • Must have sensitivity

Want to apply? Fill out the form below: