The Domestic Violence Unit was created in September 2024 at the direction of Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago.
The investigative Unit, located at MCPO headquarters in Freehold Township, is separate and distinct from the Family and Juvenile Unit, and focuses on investigations and prosecutions of incidents of intimate partner violence (IPV), a term referring specifically to abuse or aggression occurring during or after a romantic relationship, involving current or former spouses or dating partners.
The Unit features a staff of seven, including three assistant prosecutors (one the Unit Director), two detectives, and a two-person dedicated support staff. The Unit’s work intersects with that of a number of partner agencies, including Hazlet-based 180 Turning Lives Around, and the Asbury Park-based Community Affairs and Resource Center (CARC) and Mercy Center.
The Unit operates similarly to MCPO’s existing investigative units, providing logistical and on-the-ground support to local agencies on their cases in matters such as taking victim statements and interviewing witnesses. The aim is ultimately to help victims stuck in the cycle of domestic violence free themselves – ideally, in some cases, achieving the ability to prosecute even in the absence of direct trial testimony, allowing victims to avoid the trauma of reliving the crimes committed against them in the same room as the individuals who committed them.
If you or someone you care about is actively experiencing or witnessing an incident of domestic violence, call 911 immediately.