If you are a victim of domestic violence, call 911 or your local police department for immediate assistance. Depending upon the offense the abuser committed, your case will be handled at the Superior, Family, or Municipal level. Most municipalities in Essex County also offer Domestic Violence Crisis Response Teams comprised of civilian volunteers who provide victims with information regarding criminal charges and obtaining Restraining Orders. Team members also offer referrals to victims regarding counseling, support groups and battered women's shelters. The Domestic Violence Unit of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office works closely with these teams to help victims gain immediate assistance and eventual justice. For more information about response team membership, contact your local police department.

As a domestic violence victim, you have the right to request a temporary restraining order, a legal document that stops the abuser from contacting you and members of your immediate family in any way. To apply for an order, you must appear before a judge or hearing officer between 8:30am and 3:30pm Monday through Friday to show that you are in danger of further violence and that the order is necessary to protect your life and well-being. The Essex County Family Court is located at:

Wilentz Justice Complex
Room 1251, 12th Floor
212 Washington Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Phone: 973-693-6840
Office Hours for filing complaints: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m

If the Family Court is closed, you may also obtain an order at your local police department. Once the temporary restraining order has been issued, you must return to the Family Court in ten (10) days to have your temporary order finalized.

For more information on domestic violence, contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy at: 973-621-4687 or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

For more information on how to file for a restraining order, visit the Essex County Courts Family Division web site.