Grand Opening of Essex County Family Justice Center in Newark
October 27, 2011
By Lia Eustachewich

The Essex County Family Justice Center (FJC) officially opened its doors to victims of domestic violence Wednesday with a two-hour ceremony at its brand new Market Street address.

The center, the only of its kind in New Jersey, offers a one stop, safe haven to the abused by providing services like crisis intervention, counseling, safety planning, advocacy and legal assistance.

"It's only fitting that during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, and at long last we're moved into our own space, that we are able to celebrate the opening of New Jersey's first Family Justice Center here in Essex County," said Mary Houtsma, executive director of FJC.

The center, made possible by partnerships with various agencies including the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and Newark Police Department, opened in 2010 inside the Essex County Courthouse. It has since treated roughly 1,300 victims of domestic violence and plans on expanding its services at the new 5,000 square-foot facility on the second floor of 86 Market St.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray told the standing room only crowd Wednesday that her office has seen roughly 2,000 domestic violence cases annually for the past 10 years.

"We no longer have to unfairly ask them (victims) to bear the weight of their well-founded fears and their very real needs alone," said Murray. "I think the Family Justice Center is going to enable us to do what we must be good at … which is prosecuting our cases."

Attorney General Paula Dow reflected upon the 2008 murder of Monica Paul, who was shot to death by ex-boyfriend Kenneth Anton Duckett in Montclair following an argument the couple had had. Duckett, of Orange, was sentenced to life in prison in February.

"On that horrific evening, I saw the results of why we stand here today," said Dow. "When we look at all those factors together, we realize that's why we need to support places just like this (FJC)."

Monica Paul's mother Joanne Paul said she could feel her daughter's "delight" of the new centralized center.

"I think about my daughter every day," she said. "That's why I stand here today … My heart is filled with caring for women and men who are going through unfair, unjust situations. I'm just so thankful that money is being poured into this project."

The latter part of the ceremony included a poetry reading by Beryl Cipriani, who survived a physically abusive relationship, and Rodolfo Lazzaro, who, at a young age, witnessed his mother being beaten by his father while living in Argentina.

The Verizon Foundation Wednesday afternoon announced a $200,000 grant to The Safe House, a partner of FJC, which will be used toward greater access to self-sufficiency services, Houtsma said.

FJC was also a recipient of a $750,000 United States Department of Justice grant earlier this month to hire an on-site Newark police officer and expand criminal justice services.