Information On Dating Violence

Jersey Battered Women’s Services (JBWS) of Morris County, New Jersey opened to the community in December 1978 as a full-service, private, nonprofit domestic violence agency. The mission of this organization is to prevent domestic violence by protecting and empowering the victim, rehabilitating family members, and educating the public about abusive relationships. 

JBWS offers two important resources for teens involved in abusive dating relationships, The Dating abuse Prevention Program and The Choices Program.

The Dating Abuse Prevention Program of JBWS provides help for teens, young adults, family and friends. There is a counselor available 24 hours a day to listen to concerns and answer questions – and the caller can remain anonymous. The helpline counselor can also schedule an appointment for a private counseling session. These services are free of charge.

24-Hour Helpline: 973-267-4763 or 1-877-R-U-ABUSED

The Choices Program of the Jersey Center for Non-Violence of JBWS is a counseling group for male teens, ages 12-17, who have been using abuse in relationships. This group meets once a week for 12 weeks to teach the skills needed to form and maintain healthy relationships.

Choices: 973-539-7801

For more information and resources, including links to other helpful websites, go to www.jbws.org

If you live outside of New Jersey and are in an abusive relationship, contact:

  • A local crisis center or hotline (check your phone book or look online)
  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233), 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
  • The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, 1-866-331-9474, 1-866-331-8453 (TTY)
  • www.loveisrespect.org

Safe Planning

If you are in an abusive relationship and think there is a possibility that your significant other is monitoring your computer use and phone calls, reach out for help through websites and phones that are safer sources for you. A safer computer might be one in a public library, a community technology center (www.ctcnet.org ), at a trusted friend’s house, university computer lab, or an Internet café. A safer phone might be your parent’s home phone, a friend’s phone, or a public phone.