Resources Are Available for Victims of Domestic Violence

Both were mothers who lived in Montclair and both are believed to have been murdered by their estranged partners.

The death of Shazmina Khan, whose body was found on Monday, harkens back to another slain Montclair woman – Monica Paul who was killed by her ex-boyfriend in 2008.

 An article in the Montclair Times drew parallels between the lives and untimely deaths of the two women, “Both women were allegedly slain by either an ex-husband or ex-boyfriend. . . . Both couples had a history of domestic violence. And both crimes left behind orphaned children,” the article stated.

Khan’s estranged husband, Khalid Khan, 42, of Bloomfield has been charged with her murder and is being held in the Essex County Jail.

While the Montclair community has held candle light vigils and fundraisers for Khan’s 8-year-old daughter, service providers say there are resources available for local victims of domestic violence that will hopefully help prevent more deaths in the future.

Some of those include the , Safe House, Babyland Family Services, and the Family Justice Center.

In Montclair, the Rachel Coalition is located right next door to the Montclair Public Library, in the United Way Building on South Fullerton Avenue.

However, experts say it is not easy for many women to leave their abusers.

Suzanne Groisser, Coordinator of Legal Services for the Rachel Coalition, said it is not uncommon for victims of domestic violence to drop assault charges or withdraw restraining orders out of fear.  Even when a restraining order is in place it can be difficult for the victim to enforce it.  Still, she says, when family, friends and neighbors know there is a restraining order, they can do a lot to help a victim stay safe.

“People need to call the police if they see [the abuser] even walking up to talk to [the victim.]  If he rings her doorbell?-- that’s grounds for arrest,” she says emphatically.  “We strongly recommend that someone who has a restraining order, or is afraid to get one, should seek the advice of a domestic violence counselor for safety planning.” 

A Safety Plan, she explained, is a network of services to offer support to a woman to help reduce her vulnerability, such as giving her resources to combat poverty, providing child care and offering a network of  support. “We like to call it wrapping the victim in services.”

She noted that each case is different and in some instances, like Monica Paul’s, a restraining order does not guarantee the victim’s safety. “It’s very difficult. People always ask, ‘why didn’t she just leave?’  But they need to understand that even if a woman gets a restraining order, a lot more needs to go into ensuring their safety and that of their children.”

She also pointed out that immigration issues can make it more difficult for foreign-born abuse victims.

Groisser speculated that because Shazmina and Khalid Kahn were originally from Africa and for a time Shazmina lived in England, immigration issues may have played a part in their relationship.

“People who are immigrants have it particularly hard,” said Groisser.  Lack of family support, an inability to speak English, and in some cases, fear of the American legal system, are reasons a victim might not report abuse.

Groisser works in tandem with to provide pro-bono legal help for victims of domestic abuse.  Her organization also provides access to psychological counseling, child care and can obtain temporary restraining orders for clients.

A woman claiming to be Khan’s sister sent an email letter to Montclair Patch on Wednesday that said her sister had been abused for years in her marriage and pleaded for justice for her sister. It read in part, “Are non-Americans not humans? Do we have no right?”

Shazmina Khan's friend Margo Garrett of Montclair, said that Khan had had just gotten her green card last week.  that Khan had hoped to become an American citizen. 

"She was so happy and she came down and talked about that," Garrett said. "She was really getting her life together."

For information and shelter from domestic violence: 

The Rachel Coalition is a partnership of nine northern New Jersey organizations including the Jewish Family Service of MetroWest,Women's Philanthropy of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest New Jersey; National Council of Jewish Women - Essex County Section; National Council of Jewish Women - West Morris Section; Saint Barnabas Medical Center; The Rabbinic Cabinet of MetroWest; Hadassah - Northern New Jersey Region; Jewish Women International - North Atlantic Region; and JCC MetroWest.  

Rachel Coalition and Partners for Women and Justice and serves residents of Essex, Morris, Union, Hudson and Bergen Counties.

For further information about the legal program call Partners at: 973-233-0111

For further information about Rachel Coalition call: 973-765-9050

https://www.rachel@rachelcoalition.org 

http://www.pfwj.org/

If you would like to become a Rachel Coalition Court Advocate Volunteer contact:

sgroisser@jfsmetrowest.org

If you or someone you know needs help, call 973-740-1233 (24-hour hotline) and ask for Rachel.

Or call the Essex County Domestic violence hotlines:  973-759-2154 or  973-484-4446.