Legal group helps domestic violence response team
BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer

WOODBRIDGE - The members of the Middlesex County Legal Professional Association raised $400 for the township's Domestic Violence Response Team.

"This donation is very appreciated," said KathySullivan,whohas beenpart of the team since 1996. "These donations … allow us to purchase what we may need to for the families. … Usually the grants that we receive specify what we need to use themoney for."

Sullivan joined fellow team member Louise Ragusa, who has been a member of the team since 1995, and Councilwoman Brenda Velasco at the Middlesex County LPA'smonthlymeeting at theHampton Inn inWoodbridge on Feb. 20.

The 20 or so members of the newly formed chapter inMiddlesex County, which started in April 2007, spent the months of December and January collecting donations for the team.

Ragusa informed the group that this year's training class for the Domestic Violence Response Team has doubled in number compared to last year.

"Thismoney will also help us with trainingmaterials," she said. "Our [45]members are on call every day of the year in 12-hour shifts between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m."

Ragusa said the teamis there to steer the victims of domestic violence in the right direction.

"Last year we had about 384 victims," she said. "That averages out to three victims a day … we want the word out that we are here for them."

Since the team's inception in 1993, its members have offered assistance to thousands of victims of domestic violence and made many strides in educating their community. The team works with the Woodbridge Police Department to provide the best possible support and assistance to each and every victim, regardless of race, religion or gender.

PoliceCapt.Margaret Schmidt, Sgt. Laurie Maloney and Officer Frank Salsano are liaisons to the team.

"We have started a self-help support group for the victims," said Sullivan. "The group basically runs itself. It's wonderful to see victims open their arms and help other victims.We are there just to supervise, lend support and give out resources."

Ragusa added that if a victim really needs to get away, the teamwould help provide a place for that victim.

"We had a victim who was living in close proximity to her abuser … we paid to move her and provide her with food and rent," she said.Velasco presented a proclamation on behalf ofMayor JohnE.McCormac to theMiddlesex County LPA for their efforts to help the Domestic Violence Response Team.

"The team is one of our highlights in our township on call 24-7 to lend support to the unfortunate problemin our society," said Velasco.

The Middlesex County LPA is a chapter of theNew JerseyAssociation for Legal Professionals [NALS],which is part of a tri-level professional association composed of members employed in the legal field.

The associationwas chartered in 1959 by NALS and is affiliatedwithNALS Region 2, which consists ofmembers fromthe District of Columbia,Delaware,Maryland,NewJersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Susan Mack-Mooney, chapter president, said the chapter tries to have speakers come to themeetings and provides resources such as continual education and networking to the members of the chapter.

Other chapters in New Jersey include Union and Essex counties, Hunterdon County, Monmouth County, Morris County, and Somerset County.

For more information about the Middlesex LPA, contactMack-Mooney at (973) 849- 2543.

For more information about the township's Domestic Violence Response Team, call (732) 634-4500, ext. 2802.