By Joe Sweeney, CADA Committee and Cooper Pastoral Care
Since the passage of the Violence Against Woman Act (VAWA) nearly 20 years ago, our Nation’s response to Domestic Violence has greatly improved. What was too often seen as a private matter best hidden behind closed doors is now an established issue of national concern. We have changed our laws, transformed our culture, and improved support services for survivors. We have seen a significant drop in Domestic Violence homicides and improved training for police, prosecutors, and advocates. Yet, we must do more to provide protection and justice for survivors and to prevent violence from occurring. During October, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Cooper University Health Care, in connection with CADA, stands with domestic abuse survivors and celebrates the progress in combating these despicable crimes.
Domestic Violence can take many forms, including physical aggression or assault (hitting, kicking, biting, shoving, restraining, slapping, throwing objects, battery), or threats thereof; sexual abuse; emotional abuse; controlling or domineering; intimidation; stalking; passive/covert abuse (e.g., neglect); and economic deprivation.
Domestic Violence and abuse is not limited to obvious physical violence. Domestic Violence can also mean endangerment, criminal coercion, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, trespassing, and harassment.
Bullying is another form of Domestic Violence. We see stories on the news far too often associated with this act.
The CADA Team at Cooper University Hospital is proud to support VAWA by establishing a number of programs and services:
1. CADA offers education to staff and the community to promote domestic violence awareness and assists our staff, colleagues, patients, visitors, and families in insuring there is assistance and referral as needed.
2. A volunteer network made up of dedicated Cooper employees who act as advocates and who respond to Domestic Violence incidents by people who are treated here at Cooper. This Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) partners with the Camden County Women’s Center and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office to assist those in need of immediate escape from violent situations.
3. In partnership with the Camden Superior Court and the Camden County Prosecutor’s office, CADA has established a pilot project to assist patients in getting real time Temporary Restraining Orders while they are in the Emergency Department or L&D Triage via web cam court appearances.
4. CADA has many community partnerships, including the above mentioned affiliations, Cooper Social Workers, Cooper Pastoral Care, Cooper EAP, Cooper Pediatrics, Jewish Family Services, Volunteers of America, and Fleet Feet of Marlton – who generously donates sneakers for those in need. We are thankful for our friends in Cooper and in the community.
If you are in a domestic violence/intimate partner situation, or know of someone in need, please do not hesitate to contact the Camden County Women’s Center. The Center’s 24/7 hotline is 856.227.1234.
You can contact the CADA Team via Cooper email at CADALEADERSHIP@cooperhealth.edu.
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