East Windsor To Participate In Communities Of Light To Combat Domestic Violence

EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, NJ — East Windsor Township officials recently praised Womanspace and the Domestic Violence Victim Response Team“ for their commendable efforts in focusing attention on the important community subject of domestic abuse and providing support and resources for abuse victims.”

The declaration was made as Mayor Janice Mironov and Womanspace Executive Director Patricia Hart and Domestic Violence Victim Response Team volunteers, proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“East Windsor was the first municipality in Mercer County to step up and establish a Domestic Violence Victim Response Team with the help of Womanspace and the East Windsor Police Department, for which East Windsor received the Womanspace President’s award for the initiative,” Mironov said.

Hart said that East Windsor then became the model for the other municipalities in Mercer County, as well as the state.

Mayor Mironov’s proclamation reads:
"The East Windsor Domestic Violence Victim Response Team and Womanspace have provided a coordinated community response that has served hundreds of local residents during its years of operation, and has improved many lives in our community by advocating the importance of victim safety as well as accountability for abusers. The pro-active commitment by East Windsor Township through its Domestic Violence Victim Response Team and Womanspace visibly demonstrates to our residents and surrounding municipalities that we are united in combating domestic violence and that it is unacceptable to our entire community."

East Windsor Township will participate in Womanspace “Communities of Light” on Monday, Dec. 4. Residents and local groups are encouraged to join in and support this event, geared to raise funds and awareness of domestic violence and services available to victims.

“We hope that our participation will help focus public attention on the important subject of domestic violence and to encourage residents to become more aware of support efforts available to victims and families,” Mironov said. “As a community, we wish to express our strong support for organizations like Womanspace and our local Domestic Violence Victim Response Team and to recognize the important assistance they provide to victims of domestic violence.

“The lighting of luminaries is a unique means of increasing local awareness of the ongoing presence of domestic violence in all of our communities and to serve as a symbol of hope for all those who struggle with violence in their homes.”

Residents can participate by purchasing candles and gathering with local officials and police on Monday, Dec. 4, 5 p.m. to light up the East Windsor Municipal Building, followed by refreshments. They can purchase luminary kits, containing six candles each, for $10 at any time at East Windsor Police/Municipal Court Building (80 One Mile Road) or the East Windsor Municipal Building (16 Lanning Boulevard) and bringing luminary kits to the event.

All proceeds will go 100% directly to Womanspace, the primary Mercer County organization providing a comprehensive array of services to individuals affected by domestic violence and dedicated to improving the quality of life of abuse victims and their families. For more information, call 609-448-5678, ext. 231.

The attached image was provided by East Windsor officials: Pictured (from left to right) are: Police Detective Joseph Gorski; Lisseih, DVVRT volunteer member; Mayor Janice S. Mironov; Patricia Hart, Executive Director, Womanspace; Sarah, DVVRT volunteer member; Salim, DVVRT volunteer member, and Chief of Police James Geary.