Author: Younity

Expanding Trauma-informed Care from Hospital to Community

When someone experiences violence, the journey to safety often begins in an unexpected place — an emergency room. In those first chaotic hours, a compassionate, informed response can make all the difference between fear and hope.

That’s the vision behind Capital Health’s VICTORY program — Violence Intervention for the Community Through Outreach Recovery — a hospital-based initiative that connects victims of violence with ongoing care and community support. This fall, Younity is proud to partner with VICTORY to strengthen that continuum through a new series of trauma-informed trainings.

Under a new Memorandum of Understanding, Younity’s Crisis Response & Prevention Team will deliver a four-part training series designed to help VICTORY staff respond to survivors of domestic and sexual violence with sensitivity, accuracy, and care.

The sessions — led by Varonda N. Kendrick, Response Teams Coordinator, and Sheilagh Mescal Gunstensen, BScN, MA, Training Specialist — include:

• Understanding Domestic Violence – what to say (and what not to say) when someone discloses abuse, and how to make warm, safe referrals.
• Responding to Sexual Violence – recognizing the unique needs of survivors and fostering a trauma-informed environment.
• Recognizing Strangulation – identifying high-risk indicators and connecting survivors to lifesaving resources.
• The Impact of Trauma – how trauma affects the body and mind, and how compassionate care fosters safety, empowerment, and resilience.

These conversations will equip VICTORY’s outreach specialists — who meet survivors in the hospital or shortly after discharge — with the tools to offer meaningful support and link patients directly to Younity’s counseling, housing, and advocacy programs.

“We do better together,” says Kendrick. “Every time we link arms with another organization, our community grows stronger and survivors have more paths to healing.”

This collaboration marks an important step in strengthening Mercer County’s network of care. It reflects Younity’s commitment to building bridges across healthcare, social services, and community organizations — ensuring that survivors are met with compassion, understanding, and a clear path to safety, no matter where their journey begins.

Together, we are stronger than abuse.

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the South Brunswick Commission on Women (SBCW) and Township of South Brunswick hosted their “Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence” Walk, honoring organizations and advocates dedicated to ending abuse.

Younity Outreach Specialist Felicia L. Brown represented the agency at the event, where Mayor Charles Carley issued a township proclamation recognizing Younity (formerly Womanspace) for over 45 years of service to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

“Felicia’s words shed light on the realities survivors face and the power of community support,” said Lamia Hakim, Vice Chair of the South Brunswick Commission on Women. “Her presence helped make the event meaningful and deeply impactful for everyone who attended.”

“It was an honor to stand alongside the South Brunswick Commission on Women in raising awareness and supporting survivors,” said Brown. “Every time we come together in solidarity, we strengthen the lifeline for those who need it most.”

The event brought together local leaders, survivors, and advocates to amplify voices, share stories of resilience, and reaffirm a shared commitment to prevention, healing, and hope.

Photo1 caption: Younity Outreach Specialist Felicia L. Brown accepts a township proclamation from Mayor Charles Carley during the “Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence” event hosted by the South Brunswick Commission on Women.

Photo2 caption: Proclamation issued by the Township of South Brunswick, dated October 26, 2025, honoring Younity (formerly Womanspace) as a leader in domestic violence awareness and prevention. Signed by Mayor Charles Carley.

Younity’s Varonda N. Kendrick, Response Teams Coordinator, and Susan Victor, Chief Operating Officer, Client & Community Services, attended the Wide Awake Law Enforcement Presentation hosted by the Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation (SNPF) and the Robbinsville Police Department.

The Foundation—created in memory of Stephanie Parze, a young woman from Monmouth County who tragically lost her life to domestic violence—works to support individuals and families affected by domestic violence, sexual abuse, and missing loved ones, while advancing education, prevention, and advocacy.

During the 90-minute session, SNPF President Ed Parze spoke to an engaged audience of representatives from the Robbinsville Police Department, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Younity, DVRT advocates, and law enforcement professionals from West Windsor, Princeton, Hamilton, Hightstown, Ewing, and other nearby communities.

The presentation offered:

• A firsthand look at the real-life impact of domestic violence on victims and families
• Insight into how law enforcement can better identify, support, and refer victims
• Education on warning signs of escalating abuse and the critical importance of early intervention

A highlight of the event was the introduction of “Stephanie’s Sanctuary” rooms—private, trauma-informed spaces being created within police departments for victims of domestic violence. These rooms are designed to provide a calm, supportive environment where survivors can meet with advocates or officers safely and with dignity. The Robbinsville Police Department will be the first in Mercer County to open one, fully furnished by the Foundation.

“Partnerships like this bring compassion and humanity into the justice system,” said Kendrick. “When advocates and law enforcement work side by side, survivors are met with understanding from the very first moment they reach out for help.”

The event exemplified the strong collaboration between advocates and law enforcement across Mercer County—an alliance that continues to grow through Younity’s Response Teams and ongoing outreach to police, hospitals, and community partners.

As victim-survivors transition out of shelter and housing programs, they are increasingly exposed to the harsh realities of New Jersey’s housing crisis, made worse by growing instability in government funding that supports critical services. At the same time, they face significant and often overlooked barriers in the legal system—especially as the wealth gap continues to widen. Advocates across New Jersey are sounding the alarm about disparities in both family and criminal court, where many victim-survivors—particularly those who don’t qualify as low-income yet cannot afford private counsel—are left at a severe disadvantage. The loss of federal and state funding for organizations like Central Jersey Legal Services only deepens the crisis, limiting the availability of legal aid at a time when demand is rapidly increasing.

As Janet Ginest, Vice President of Transitional Housing at Younity, explained, equitable access to justice shouldn’t depend on whether you can afford a private attorney. But too often, that’s exactly what it comes down to. “If the other party has a lawyer and you don’t,” she said, “your chances of a fair outcome drop dramatically.”

These aren’t minor setbacks—they’re life-altering. Victim-survivors may lose the right to see their children, forfeit child support, or fail to secure criminal convictions due to technical missteps, not lack of merit.

The legal system can be a daunting place for victim-survivors, especially those navigating it without full representation. Whether in family or criminal court, the consequences of going it alone can be devastating.

In family court, even the absence of allegations isn’t enough to ensure fairness. One Younity client, a mother to two children, working with a law school program funded by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), lost custody—not because she was accused of anything, but while facing her former spouse’s experienced private attorney without comparable representation. “There wasn’t even an accusation,” said Janet. While a law school clinic technically represented her, the attorneys assigned to her case were recent law school graduates still seeking permanent employment. Due to high turnover and heavy demands placed on the clinic, she cycled through four different lawyers in just nine months. The lack of continuity and representation by an attorney with deep familiarity with her case left her at a severe disadvantage. Law clinics can, and do, provide important aid to victim-survivors. But their capacity is limited. Her chances of retaining custody—or even shared custody—would have been significantly higher with more consistent and adequate representation. This is not equitable access to legal justice.

In criminal court, even strong cases can fall apart without proper representation. One victim-survivor tried to press harassment charges against her abuser. Her case was handled by a public prosecutor, and the defendant was represented by a private attorney. The judge never saw the binder of evidence she had carefully compiled because her public defender at the time never reviewed it. With a Younity advocate present, she later requested a different prosecutor—one who did review the binder and recognize its importance. But by then, it was too late. As the defendant’s attorney pointed out to the judge, “The deadline for submitting evidence passed months ago.” Her stalking and harassment charges were dismissed—not for lack of proof, but because the materials were never officially entered into the record.

There are many public defenders and prosecutors who are deeply committed to their work. However, caseloads are high. It’s rare that victim-survivors have more than a few minutes to speak with their public defender before court, and even rarer that they can discuss strategy in advance. That kind of limited access makes it nearly impossible to build a strong case.

Another victim-survivor, represented by a public defender, pleaded guilty to a charge based on inaccurate legal advice. That conviction—non-expungable—ultimately barred her from employment in the very field where she had the most experience. Had she been given the right information, she may have made a different decision. Without full access to reliable legal guidance, the consequences can be life-altering.

In a separate case, a victim-survivor had a charge that was eventually eligible for expungement—but she wasn’t given the correct legal information up front. After completing a job training program, she was ready to turn over a new leaf and begin a new career. But the unresolved charge blocked her from being hired. While staying in Younity’s transitional housing program, she was unable to save enough to replace her aging car—and without reliable transportation, her ability to maintain employment and housing after leaving the program was at risk. When she finally received the proper legal guidance on how to reapply for expungement, her request was delayed due to a massive court backlog. It wasn’t until she appeared in person with a Younity advocate that her case was finally reviewed.

“People think it’s as simple as, ‘Oh, you can go to a legal aid clinic or represent yourself,’” Janet said. “But court—whether it’s criminal, municipal, or otherwise—has its own rules, its own culture. If you don’t know the process, if you don’t even know what your options are, you can’t fight effectively. When victim-survivors don’t have the same level of support and access to legal representation as the other party, the playing field isn’t level—and the outcomes reflect that.”

While some pro bono assistance is available in New Jersey, most attorneys limit their free legal work to matters that require only a few hours. They rarely take on complex, time-intensive family law cases, leaving many victim-survivors without meaningful legal support.

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Building Toward Solutions

What would it take to close this gap? In New Jersey, some proposed solutions—such as court-appointed attorneys in specific custody cases—have been tried and failed. But the need persists, and so does the push for progress.

“Personally, I believe New Jersey needs a dedicated line item in the state budget to fund legal representation for victim-survivors,” Janet said. “There could be clear guidelines for qualifying cases—like custody disputes where one party has an attorney and the other does not—and a sliding fee scale with a higher income and asset cap than what programs like Central Jersey Legal Services are currently permitted to use under their grant restrictions. Their staff is committed and would gladly serve more clients if the funding allowed it.”

“Just because something is a big ask doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for,” Janet said. “These are people’s lives. These are their children’s futures.”

Rather than proposing unrealistic mandates, advocates are exploring how to deepen and direct pro bono legal support more strategically. But real change will require collaboration—between legal professionals, nonprofit agencies, survivors, and community leaders. Some ideas gaining traction include:

• Increasing funding for legal clinics and expanding staff capacity to take on complex, time-intensive matters such as child custody and alimony
• Offering incentives—such as training, support, or professional recognition—for attorneys who accept challenging pro bono cases

Community organizations also have a powerful role to play in this shared effort. By working together, they can:

• Create a shared database of client stories that highlight systemic barriers to equitable legal access
• Encourage staff to document anonymized case examples that reveal patterns of injustice
• Partner with advocacy groups like the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV) to compile and present compelling evidence
• Host joint forums where survivors can safely share their experiences
• Develop coordinated strategies that use real-world narratives to influence policy
• Train staff in ethical story collection and consent protocols
• Present these stories directly to legislators to drive change

The key is to build a collective, evidence-based approach centered on victim-survivors’ lived experiences—while protecting their dignity and safety. Only then can policy begin to reflect the real-world complexity of what victim-survivors face.

Advocacy groups like NJCEDV are already gathering evidence to build a case for systemic change. “We’re not going to fix this overnight,” Janet said. “But stories matter. When you hear someone say they lost custody—or even shared custody—because they couldn’t afford consistent legal representation, it’s not abstract anymore. It’s real. It’s devastating. And it motivates people to act.”

Organizations like Younity are committed to being part of that statewide movement—collecting stories (with consent), raising awareness, and working alongside others to ensure victim-survivors aren’t forced to face the legal system alone. In the past year alone, Younity court advocates supported 1,249 survivors navigating municipal and family courts—offering critical guidance in moments that often determine a person’s safety, custody, or long-term stability.

“Working in transitional housing allows me to witness the long-term outcomes,” Janet said. “Losing child visitation, failing to obtain protection without legal help, or struggling to find work all have impacts that go beyond the courtroom. It echoes through every part of their life. That’s what keeps me fighting. That’s why we can’t stop pushing for change.”

Because when we work together—sharing stories, sharing power, and demanding better—we are stronger than abuse.

Younity is proud to announce two new grants that will enhance our Transitional Housing Program and directly support victim-survivors of domestic violence as they rebuild their lives.

The James Kerney Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to support critical repairs and upgrades in two transitional housing units. Safe housing is more than a roof over one’s head—it’s a foundation for healing. By investing in essential renovations such as plumbing, cabinetry, and kitchen improvements, this grant helps ensure that every apartment reflects the dignity, comfort, and safety every survivor deserves. When families arrive at our doors after escaping violence, the condition of their temporary home matters. These improvements will allow us to provide a more welcoming, functional space where victim-survivors can stabilize, care for their children, and begin the next chapter in their lives with hope.

In the grant award letter, Jim Kerney, President of the James Kerney Foundation, wrote, “You do a wonderful job in our city and county, making a difference in the lives of so many.”

Meanwhile, Holman Automotive has awarded a $34,500 two-year grant through the Community Foundation of South Jersey to support Next Step, a critical six-month stabilization phase of our Transitional Housing Program. Through Next Step, survivors receive rent-free housing, wraparound services, and matched savings to support their move toward independence. Individualized case management, trauma-informed counseling, parenting support, financial literacy coaching, and job readiness services ensure that each participant has the tools they need to rebuild—not just survive, but thrive.

“These grants are more than funding,” said Nathalie S. Nelson, President and CEO of Younity. “They are a promise to the individuals and families we serve that they are not alone. When our community invests in safe housing and support services, it empowers victim-survivors to reclaim their lives with dignity and strength.”

These grants arrive at a pivotal time. With federal funding for victim services facing potential cuts, private investment is more important than ever. Grants like these help bridge funding gaps, expand access to safe housing, and preserve the infrastructure needed to deliver trauma-informed care. With more than 90% of program graduates transitioning to permanent housing, Younity’s model works—and with community support, we can continue to provide a path forward for those escaping abuse.

Together, we are building more than homes. We are building safety, dignity, and the possibility of a new beginning.

What happens when you hand teens the mic and trust them to lead conversations about dating, boundaries, and respect? At Lawrence High School, you get a powerful, peer-led movement that’s shifting school culture—and preparing students for life beyond graduation.

Younity’s Peer Educator Program, led by Prevention & Community Educator Grace Flagler and Counselor Advocate Heather Horvath, MA, LPC, gives high school students the tools and training to become campus leaders in violence prevention. What began as a small, informal virtual committee during the pandemic has evolved into a structured, high-impact program rooted in education, connection, and advocacy.

Last year’s cohort of eight peer educators at Lawrence High School launched projects that reached hundreds of their classmates. From designing affirming posters for Women’s History Month to presenting at Planned Parenthood’s “Spill the Tea” program, their initiatives were creative, inclusive, and entirely student-driven.  But one initiative, the Purple Out, was especially memorable.

Held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Purple Out transformed a Friday night football game into a powerful show of solidarity. Several weeks prior to that night, peer educators gave a presentation to the football team, explaining why they were asking them to wear purple. The players responded enthusiastically, donning purple gear alongside a sea of purple in the stands. “It was such a visible, community-based way to raise awareness,” Grace said. “And it worked.”

The impact was immediate. Other fall sports teams—such as tennis and soccer—began asking why they hadn’t been included. “Why didn’t we get a Purple Out?” they asked. This year, peer educators plan to expand the event to the entire school. “It’s a perfect example of how a simple, student-led action can ripple outward,” said Heather. “It opened up space for more conversations.”

That peer-to-peer dynamic is the heart of the program—and it’s what makes it so effective. Teens are more likely to hear and internalize difficult messages when they come from someone who understands their world. “High school students are more likely to listen to their friends than adults,” Heather explained. “Our peer educators understand the culture of their school in a way we simply can’t.”

Each school has its own social climate, language, and unwritten rules. Peer educators are uniquely positioned to navigate these realities and speak in a way that feels authentic to their classmates. “They know what they can and can’t say, and how to say it,” Grace explained. “They know what the administration is likely to allow, they know what’s already working, and they know what kind of messaging their peers will actually hear. That cultural fluency is something no adult can replicate.” Grace emphasized that the goal isn’t to impose an external agenda, but to collaborate with schools in ways that respect and reflect their existing culture. “We’re not coming in to tell schools what to do—we’re here to listen, adapt, and support what works for their students, their values, and their environment,” she said.

This age group is especially important. Most teens begin forming romantic relationships in high school, often with little guidance on what constitutes healthy or safe relationships. Early experiences with dating, boundaries, and peer pressure can have lasting effects. By reaching students before they head off to college or enter the workforce, the program provides them with essential tools to navigate relationships, advocate for themselves and others, and lay the foundation for a future free from abuse.

Peer educators undergo thorough and developmentally appropriate training. During summer sessions, students learn the basics of domestic and sexual violence, consent, boundaries, power and control, and how to recognize red flags in unhealthy relationships. They learn to spot early warning signs—like jealousy, possessiveness, isolation from friends, manipulation, and pressure around sex. They’re also taught how to support someone experiencing abuse and what to say as a bystander, such as: “I’m here for you,” or “That doesn’t sound healthy—have you thought about talking to someone?” They’re trained not to act as counselors or fixers, but to listen without judgment and help their peers connect to trusted adults and support services.

The group even created and led a bystander intervention presentation, offering classmates practical strategies for what to do if they witness something concerning. “They talked about how to interrupt safely, how to check in with someone afterward, and how to offer help without pressure,” said Heather. “It was smart, realistic, and teen-driven.”

Peer educators are also introduced to the full scope of Younity’s services and taught how to use inclusive language and consider diverse cultural perspectives so everyone feels seen and safe. They engage in role plays, brainstorm outreach strategies, and shape their school’s approach to awareness and prevention.

Returning peer educators are invited to help train the incoming group, deepening their own knowledge and leadership skills. “We’re not just handing them a script,” Grace said. “We’re equipping them to lead conversations, create presentations, and respond thoughtfully to what their peers are experiencing.”

As a result, students at Lawrence are now engaging more openly in conversations about boundaries and healthy relationships. While formal outcome data is forthcoming, the shift in tone is already apparent. “Our peer educators aren’t just talking about these topics,” Grace said. “They’re prioritizing them.”

One particularly powerful moment came during the group’s end-of-year celebration. “They all called it a sisterhood,” Grace recalled. “Watching them support each other and create a safe space for dialogue—it was emotional. That sense of community is just as important as the education itself.”

The benefits extend well beyond high school. Presenting at community events and discussing Title IX rights helps teens develop leadership and public speaking skills that prepare them for college life. They also learn about the changes in college relationships—such as greater independence, parties, alcohol, and less parental oversight—and how to protect themselves while respecting others. “We’re teaching them to recognize red flags early, not only for themselves but for their friends too,” Grace said. “It’s about prevention, but it’s also about empowerment.”

Looking ahead, the goal is twofold: deepen the program’s presence at Lawrence and bring it to other schools across Mercer County. But that expansion requires champions—students, teachers, or administrators who believe in prevention and want to bring it to their school.

And while current participants earn community service hours and college recommendation letters, Younity hopes to secure funding for student stipends in the future. “They deserve to be compensated for their time,” Heather noted. “They’re doing real work.”

At its core, the Peer Educator Program is about shifting culture and reducing harm before it happens, one conversation at a time. But it’s also deeply personal for the educators leading it.

For Heather, the work hits close to home. “When I was in high school, I experienced dating violence,” she shared. “That’s why I chose to become a counselor—so I could be there for students, listen to them, and create a safe space. This is a tough culture to grow up in. Teens need someone who sees them and supports them.”

Grace, too, is driven by a profound belief in the potential of young people. “Teenagers are vastly underestimated when it comes to the kind of change they can make,” she said. “Our peer educators are passionate, insightful, and deeply committed. They make this work feel hopeful. They’re not just the future—they’re shaping the present.”

Want to bring the Peer Educator Program to your school?
Younity is actively looking to expand. If you’re a school administrator, counselor, or educator interested in equipping students with tools to lead conversations about healthy relationships, boundaries, and respect, we’d love to partner with you.

Are you a student who wants to make a difference?
You don’t have to wait to be asked. If you’re passionate about creating a safer, more supportive school environment, your voice is powerful. Talk to a trusted teacher or counselor and encourage them to connect with us, or reach out to us directly. We’ll support you every step of the way.

To learn more or explore bringing the program to your school, contact Grace Flagler at education@younitynj.org.

By empowering young people to lead the conversation, we’re not just addressing violence—we’re preventing it. Together, we are stronger than abuse.

When we talk about building a safer future, it doesn’t just happen in shelters, support groups, or courtrooms. Sometimes, it starts with a conversation in a senator’s office.

Last month, Younity joined the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV) for Legislative Advocacy Day at the State House. Our goal: secure $7 million in the FY26 state budget to restore and sustain domestic violence services across New Jersey — including emergency shelter, legal advocacy, children’s programming, and culturally responsive care.

To achieve this, advocates pushed for a budget resolution—a critical step in the legislative process that helps prioritize funding across essential services, including those that support responses to and prevention of domestic violence.

What’s a Budget Resolution?
A budget resolution gives a funding request a seat at the table during budget negotiations. It’s a formal way for lawmakers to signal support for a specific need — and while it doesn’t guarantee funding, it ensures the issue is part of the conversation that shapes the final state budget.

In April, state commissioners acknowledged that a mandated 5% budget reduction across departments led to difficult decisions — including a $2.2 million cut from domestic violence support services. This reduction affected programs statewide that provide critical shelter, advocacy, and crisis response for victim-survivors.

The resolution backed by Younity and NJCEDV includes three essential requests:

1. Restore the $2.2 million previously allocated in the FY25 budget;
2. Increase funding for Domestic Violence Crisis Response Teams by $2 million;
3. Sustain life-saving services like shelter, legal advocacy, children’s programming, and culturally specific support, especially as federal funding continues to decline.

These aren’t abstract numbers. They reflect urgent needs we’re seeing right now. At Younity, we experienced a surge in demand for services in 2024 across the board:

• 78% increase in Response Team callouts to police stations and hospitals
• 104% increase in legal advocacy for victim-survivors seeking restraining orders
• 70% increase in family therapy sessions
• 44% increase in counseling for children
• 36% increase in support for sexual assault victim-survivors under the age of 18

Victims often return to unsafe homes simply because there’s nowhere else to go.

Thanks to coordinated advocacy efforts — including outreach from Younity’s Janet Ginest — budget resolutions have now been secured in both the Assembly and Senate.

For Janet, Younity’s VP of Transitional Housing, the experience was deeply personal.

“I’ve been with Younity for nearly two decades, but my connection to this work goes back even further,” she shared. “I started as a volunteer in 1998 on one of the first Domestic Violence Response Teams in East Windsor. Over the years, I’ve worked in many different roles — and throughout it all, what’s never changed is the privilege of walking alongside survivors as they reclaim their lives. It’s an honor I never take for granted.”

This year’s Advocacy Day also reinforced the importance of legislative work — and how deeply policy decisions shape survivors’ lives.

“Legislative advocacy is where real change begins,” Janet said. “This is where we get to influence the system so it works better for our clients. Every conversation, every email — it all adds up. Advocacy isn’t just about policy; it’s about people.”

Janet met with Senators Linda Greenstein and Andrew Zwicker, both of whom responded not only with encouragement but also with action. Senator Greenstein offered to sponsor the resolution herself, while Senator Zwicker’s office followed up with direct guidance to ensure it was submitted correctly and on time.

“I thought I was just going to deliver a flyer and hope for a handshake,” Janet said. “Instead, I left with a crash course in the legislative process, two champions in our corner, and a renewed sense of how change really happens — one conversation, one connection at a time.”

Recent legislative wins underscore what’s possible when policy and advocacy align: the creation of a statewide rape kit tracking system (S715/A908), recognition of coercive control in court (S1809/A1475), and guaranteed language access for restraining orders (A1704/S1000). Each of these laws makes safety more accessible — and justice more achievable — for victim-survivors across New Jersey.

Janet also underscored one area that still needs urgent reform:

“Too many survivors fall through the cracks — earning just above the threshold for free legal aid, but nowhere near enough to afford a private attorney,” she explained. “When you’re facing restraining orders, divorce, or child custody without legal representation, the system isn’t just hard. It’s heartbreaking.”

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How You Can Help

As the FY26 budget moves into final negotiations, we encourage our community to stay engaged.

Here’s how you can take action:

1. Find your legislators: Visit www.njleg.state.nj.us and enter your address to find your representatives in the New Jersey Senate and Assembly.
2. Call or email: Ask them to support the domestic violence budget resolution sponsored by Assemblywoman Lopez (Assembly Resolution #705) and Senator Ruiz (Senate Resolution #1040).
3. Speak from the heart: Let them know why these services matter. Ask them to support the full $7 million request and stand with survivors across New Jersey.

Your voice matters. Every email, every call helps bring safety, healing, and justice within reach.

Together, we are stronger than abuse.

When someone is strangled, the danger doesn’t end when the grip is released.

Strangulation is one of the most serious — and most frequently overlooked — forms of violence in intimate partner relationships. It causes internal injuries that may not be immediately visible. There may be no bruising, no swelling, no outward signs at all. Yet beneath the surface, the damage can be profound: brain injury, stroke, or even death may occur hours or days later.

“The deadliest injury doesn’t get treated because no one can see it,” says Janet Morales, Younity’s Crisis Sexual Assault Response Specialist. “Even law enforcement often misses it. So do doctors. And most of all—victim-survivors themselves.”

But the danger isn’t just medical.

Strangulation is also one of the strongest predictors of future lethal violence. Victim-survivors who have been strangled by a partner are 750% more likely to be killed by that same partner (Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2008).* It’s a major red flag — one that’s too often dismissed in the moment, despite its strong correlation with homicide in abusive relationships.

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Why This Matters Now

The push to raise awareness around strangulation and smothering wasn’t driven by headlines — it came from the front lines.

“We noticed that many victim-survivors were not reporting strangulation or smothering as a major concern after a domestic or sexual assault incident,” Morales explains. “Even when it came up during advocacy conversations, few sought medical follow-up. We realized we needed to increase our own understanding to help them recognize the risks — and increase the likelihood they’d seek care.”

This lack of awareness is dangerous. Many survivors may not immediately report being strangled — or may not even realize how serious the incident was. As a result, critical medical care is delayed or avoided altogether.

“By learning to recognize the signs ourselves,” Morales says, “we can share life-saving information. These injuries may be invisible, but they’re deadly. Talking about it could literally save someone’s life.”

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A Growing Pattern in New Jersey

These concerns aren’t isolated. Recent statewide data shows that reports of domestic violence — including cases involving strangulation — are on the rise in New Jersey. In 2023, the state saw a 15% increase in reported domestic violence incidents, with advocacy groups and public safety officials sounding the alarm on the link between strangulation and fatal outcomes.

This growing trend has prompted new legislative attention and changes to how these cases are classified and prosecuted. It has also reinforced the need for advocates, law enforcement, and healthcare providers to treat strangulation as a medical emergency — not just a legal issue.

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Introducing the BREATHE Protocol

In 2024, New Jersey implemented the BREATHE Protocol — short for Breathing/Blood Flow Restriction Event: Advocacy, Treatment, Help, and Empowerment. This statewide initiative redefines how we respond to strangulation and smothering, treating them not just as criminal acts, but as urgent medical events.

The protocol addresses a dangerous pattern of minimization:

• No visible injuries
• No immediate symptoms
• No forensic exam
• No consistent follow-up care
• No one treating it seriously

BREATHE is about interrupting that pattern. It trains law enforcement, advocates, and healthcare providers to ask deeper questions: Did the victim lose consciousness? Has their voice changed? Did they change their clothes before help arrived (a possible sign of bladder control loss during the incident)? Are they aware that damage to the brain or arteries may still be developing?

“We have to heighten that sense of awareness,” Morales says. “If a victim turns down a forensic exam, we remind them they still have five days to seek one. Because when you’ve been strangled or smothered, your body is still responding long after the moment has passed.”

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What Strangulation Really Does

It takes just 4 to 11 pounds of pressure — about the force of a handshake — to restrict blood flow to the brain. And the consequences can be devastating:

• Brain damage
• Stroke (even years later)
• Hearing loss
• Dislodged bones in the neck or throat
• Blood clots
• Memory loss or confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Death

Many of these injuries are internal or delayed. Women in their 30s or 40s who suffer strokes may, in fact, have been strangled years earlier — without ever making the connection.

“It’s not uncommon for someone to say, ‘I didn’t even realize I blacked out,’” Morales says. “But that’s how serious it is. You can die hours, or days, or even years later, and people don’t know.”

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A Charge That Rarely Reflects the Crime

Despite its lethality, strangulation is often misclassified or undercharged as simple assault — especially when there are no visible injuries. But New Jersey law is clear: As of 2021, strangulation in a domestic violence context is a second-degree aggravated assault — a felony that carries 5 to 10 years in prison and a presumption of incarceration.

In more extreme cases, where there is evidence of intent to kill, a history of escalating abuse, or serious injury, strangulation may be prosecuted as attempted murder — a first-degree offense.

“People don’t realize what it means to survive strangulation,” Morales says. “That someone put their hands around your neck with enough force to kill you. That’s not a ‘fight’ — that’s attempted murder.”

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A Pattern of Control — and a Predictor of Lethality

Strangulation is rarely the first incident in an abusive relationship. It often happens toward the end of a relationship, when the abuser feels a deep loss of control. By that point, anger and desperation are high — and nothing else is “working” to maintain power. That’s what makes it especially dangerous.

“When it gets to that point,” Morales explains, “it could be too late.”

• Victims who have been strangled are 750% more likely to be killed by their abuser
• Nearly 1 in 3 officers killed in the line of duty were murdered by someone with a known history of domestic violence and strangulation
• And yet, strangulation remains one of the least documented and least prosecuted forms of violence

“Strangulation is so normalized in pop culture,” Morales adds. “People get choked in movies or TV and then they’re fine. But in real life, real people die. Or they carry damage they don’t even know about.”

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What You Can Do

At Younity, advocates like Morales and Varonda Kendrick, Coordinator of the Response Teams of Mercer County, use the BREATHE Protocol to help survivors access urgent medical care, seek forensic exams, and create safety plans.

If someone you know has been strangled or smothered:

• Encourage them to seek immediate medical care. Forensic exams are available within five days. While the exam itself — conducted by a certified Forensic Nurse Examiner — is free of charge, there may be additional hospital-related costs (such as imaging or lab work), depending on insurance or eligibility for programs like Charity Care or VCCO.
• Stay with them for at least 24 hours. Symptoms may be delayed and can worsen rapidly.
• Look for red flags: hoarseness, memory gaps, dizziness, changes in mood or speech
• Connect them to Younity for safety planning and advocacy

“We’re not trying to scare people,” Morales says. “But we can’t sugarcoat it either. People need to know what strangulation really means: That it is never just a scare tactic. It is lethal. And it is urgent.”

Source:
* Glass, N., Laughon, K., Campbell, J., Block, C. R., Hanson, G., Sharps, P. W., & Taliaferro, E. H. (2008). Non-fatal strangulation is an important risk factor for homicide of women. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 35(3), 329–335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2007.02.065

For advocates supporting victim-survivors of strangulation or suffocation, this toolkit offers essential guidance. Developed by the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, the Advocacy Toolkit for Survivors of Strangulation/Suffocation includes practical tools, safety planning strategies, and survivor-centered language to help navigate these high-risk situations with care and expertise.
Access the full resource here: