Patrick Heckethorn

Bergen County

Jamie Gatlin

New York City Metropolitan Area

Teaneck

New Jersey

Englewood-Englewood Cliffs

New Milford

Fort Lee

Hasbrouck Heights

River Dell

Paramus

New York City

New York County

Miranda Levingston

Washington Heights-Inwood

New York

Fair Lawn-Saddle Brook

Harlem

Hudson County

Carly Baldwin

Secaucus

New Milford High School

On October 21, a “village” of leaders from local law enforcement, social service agencies and victims’ advocacy groups will gather at the New Milford High School Auditorium for the 8th
Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Symposium.
This year’s theme is “The Responsibility is Ours: A Discussion of Bergen County’s Coordinated Response to Domestic Violence.” The live event, sponsored by the New Milford Borough, New Milford Police Department, and New Milford Public School District, begins at 6:30 pm and will also be streamed via the district’s YouTube channel.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/geXTfOJQpjo?si=qRr06TUfZpXI4p6V" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">youtube.com/live/geXTfOJQpjo?si=qRr06TUfZpXI4p6V</a>

“We all share a responsibility to work together to prevent intimate partner violence and to help those who have been victimized or otherwise affected,” said Seymour, who has organized and moderated the Symposium since its inception in 2019. “Our goal from the beginning has been to educate the community and connect survivors with vital resources and services.”
“Domestic violence cases are among the most complex matters our system confronts, and no single agency can address them alone,” said Vered Adoni, Chief, Domestic Violence and Bias Crimes, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. “Bringing together law enforcement, prosecutors, the courts, victims’ advocates, service providers, and the community allows us to better protect victims and hold offenders accountable,” she said. Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton added, “Silence protects the abuser. Courage protects the victim. Domestic violence is everyone’s responsibility.”
Adoni and Cureton are among the program’s roundtable panelists, along with Carol Weissman, Esq., Staff Attorney at Northeast NJ Legal Services, and Municipal Prosecutor Savvy Darragh, Esq. Also taking part are:
·Dr. Marisa Heluk, Division Director, Bergen County Alternatives to Domestic Violence. “When we talk about domestic violence, our collective focus must shift from asking what happened to a survivor to asking what our systemic responsibility was at every juncture,” she said. “True community accountability means holding systems, protocols, and professionals responsible so that the burden of safety never rests on the victim alone.”
·Lil Corcoran, Executive Director of the Women’s Rights Information Center. “Information about intimate partner abuse can save lives and equip our community to safely intervene,” she noted. “The Symposium represents a coordinated community response to domestic violence, which unfortunately still affects thousands of Bergen County residents.”
·Katheryn Miller, Lead Staff Attorney with the Center for Hope &amp; Safety. “There is power in community. Together we can help ensure that survivors and their families have the safety, support and opportunity to build a brighter future,” she said. “We observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October to raise awareness, remember those lost, show solidarity with survivors, and raise funds for life-changing services.”
·Dr. Simaza Sadek, Director of YWCA Northern New Jersey’s healingSpace. “Tragically, intimate partner violence often includes sexual violence,” she said. “Breaking the silence helps dispel the shame survivors experience. The Symposium brings us together to raise awareness, unite our voices, and reaffirm our shared commitment to ending violence in all its forms and creating safer, healthier communities for everyone.”
·Stacy de Montagnac, Resource Spokesperson and Ambassador for Never Alone Again. “Advocacy and domestic violence being used in the same sentence is long overdue,” she said. “Society has a responsibility to step up and support those who have suffered without dignity and who need to be heard and validated.”
·Honorable Terry P. Bottinelli, Retired Judge of the New Jersey Superior Court.“When a community stands with survivors it becomes a place where courage grows, hope returns and healing is possible for everyone.”
New Milford Mayor Michael Putrino emphasized the importance of building and strengthening community collaborations. “Our partnerships with our School District and Police Department enable us to reach and hopefully help more residents,” he said. “By working together, we can help families get the help and support they need.”
Peter Galassao, New Milford Superintendent of Schools, noted, “Domestic violence does not stay behind closed doors of one's home, nor does it stop at the school entrance. It sits in our classrooms affecting our children every single day. Whatever action we can take to end this cycle, it is incumbent on every single one of us to do everything in our power to protect, support, and educate.”
Council President Seymour—recipient of the Annual Pro Bono Attorney Service Award—was recognized in 2023 by the New Jersey Judiciary for his groundbreaking work in establishing and expanding Domestic Violence Awareness Symposia throughout Bergen County. “Let’s come together as a community to raise awareness," Seymour said.

Local Event: 8th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Symposium

8th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Symposium

On October 21, a “village” of leaders from local law enforcement, social service agencies and victims’ advocacy groups will...

Debonair Music Hall

NEW&nbsp;YORK&nbsp;CITY'S&nbsp;SOLD&nbsp;OUT&nbsp;PSYCHIC&nbsp;THEATER&nbsp;EXPERIENCE&nbsp;COMES&nbsp;TO&nbsp;TEANECK, NJ&nbsp;FOR&nbsp;ONE&nbsp;NIGHT&nbsp;ONLY!
An intimate evening of immersive storytelling guided by mind-reading, ESP, and telepathy, Oracle is unlike any show you've ever seen
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Featuring tarot readings, audience intuition, and the unseen connections that shape our lives, each night is personal, thought-provoking, and completely unique, shaped entirely by YOU.
Memories, thoughts, and questions quietly surface from within your heart and mind, turning each night into something entirely its own.
Audiences leave with a clearer sense of where they've been, where they are, and where they're going.
Have you ever wondered if you could read minds? Or if there are people out there who really can see the future?
Come witness Oracle: A Mindreading Show, New York City's newest Psychic Theater Experience.
An unforgettable night for skeptics and believers alike — one you'll be talking about long after the curtain closes.A fantastic Sleight of Hand Artist and Magician is opening with a short act, as well.
<ul><li>Approx. 75 minutes with no intermission</li><li>Doors Open 30 Mins Before Show</li><li>Recommended for ages 14+</li></ul>
🎟️ TICKETS&nbsp;🎟️ <a href="https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/oracle-a-mind-reading-show-2026-10-22-debonair-music-hall-teaneck-e751f9" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">tickets.venuepilot.com/e/oracle-a-mind-reading-show-2026-10-22-debonair-music-hall-teaneck-e751f9</a>

Local Event: Oracle: A Mind-Reading Show with Mentalist Judah Mantell

Oracle: A Mind-Reading Show with Mentalist...

NEW YORK CITY'S SOLD OUT PSYCHIC THEATER EXPERIENCE COMES TO TEANECK, NJ FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY!
An intimate evening of immersive...

Oracle: A Mind-Reading Show with Mentalist Judah Mantell

Virtual

Is your blood flow stuck in rush hour? Everyday wear and tear on your blood vessels can create internal roadblocks that slow down your lifestyle. Join vascular surgeons&nbsp;<a href="https://www.getcare.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/provider/saadat-shariff/7098813" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.getcare.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/provider/saadat-shariff/7098813" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Saadat Shariff, M.D.</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.getcare.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/provider/hunaiz-amin-patel/2625024#868e3672-4bc0-57ee-a1e3-700f12af062e" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.getcare.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/provider/hunaiz-amin-patel/2625024#868e3672-4bc0-57ee-a1e3-700f12af062e" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Hunaiz Amin Patel, M.D.</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.getcare.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/provider/jeontaik-j-kwon/4223954" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.getcare.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/provider/jeontaik-j-kwon/4223954" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jeontaik Kwon, M.D.</a> for an interactive discussion on key conditions affecting your veins and arteries. Learn the best ways to protect your vascular health, the warning signs to look out for, and the treatment options available to help you navigate them safely.


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Local Event: Traffic Jam in Blood Vessels? Let's Talk Vascular Detours.

Traffic Jam in Blood Vessels? Let's Talk...


    Is your blood flow stuck in rush hour? Everyday wear and tear on your blood vessels can create internal roadblocks that...

Traffic Jam in Blood Vessels? Let's Talk Vascular Detours.

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8th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Symposium

Oracle: A Mind-Reading Show with Mentalist Judah Mantell

Traffic Jam in Blood Vessels? Let's Talk Vascular Detours.