City Council Highlights Persistence Of Domestic Violence From Harlem To Hollis

This morning, members of the City Council fanned out from Harlem to Hollis, raising awareness about domestic violence and resources and services available for survivors, as part of NYC Go Purple Day.

Later in the morning, the Committee on Women, chaired by Council Member Helen Rosenthal, held an oversight hearing on domestic and gender-based violence in New York, where they reviewed the current status of City services and support available to abuse survivors.

Watch the hearing and learn more here.

Last year, the NYPD responded to almost 300 intimate partner-related domestic incident reports every day. In addition, there were 26 intimate partner homicides across the city. As a 2016 New York Times article pointed out, “murders in NYC have declined significantly over the last 25 years, [but] one category has remained stubbornly high: domestic violence homicides.”

“New York City’s current crime trends raise a serious question — are we appropriately allocating resources to fight domestic violence? At today’s hearing and as part of NYC Go Purple Day, we are calling attention to the fact that domestic violence continues to be a profound and pervasive social and public health crisis, crossing lines of class, race, ethnicity, and sexuality,” said Council Member Helen Rosenthal.

“Across New York City, we are telling domestic violence survivors that they are not alone, and where they can go for assistance and support. I am honored to be working with the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV), my fellow Council Members, survivors, and others to raise awareness about domestic violence and get help to those who need it most,” Council Member Rosenthal continued.

As part of Go Purple Day, Council Members and staff were stationed at transportation hubs throughout the city this morning to send a powerful message about ending domestic violence, and to distribute resources available from community-based organizations and Family Justice Centers.

This is the 5th year that the City Council has spearheaded Go Purple Day, an annual day of action in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, held in collaboration with ENDGBV, survivors, City agencies, public officials, and community advocates.

At this morning’s oversight hearing on domestic violence, members of the Committee on Women heard testimony from ENDGBV, survivors, and advocates. Committee members also reviewed four pieces of legislation designed to ensure that the City is delivering resources and services to domestic and gender-based violence survivors in the most appropriate, strategic, and effective way.

Learn more about the bills here.

“The New York City Council is committed to ending domestic and gender-based violence, and NYC Go Purple Day is one of many initiatives we will undergo to spread awareness and inform survivors of resources available to them. It is imperative that survivors of domestic and gender-based violence know that we as their elected officials are here to listen and to help. The Council will continue to do everything in our power to support survivors. I thank Women’s Committee Chair Helen Rosenthal for spearheading NYC Go Purple Day outreach and all my colleagues for participating in this very important effort,” said Speaker Corey Johnson.

“Domestic violence is a horrific abuse that knows no boundaries and never discriminates,” said Public Advocate Letitia James. “With NYC Go Purple Day, we are reminding New Yorkers that they are not alone and that our city has programs to support them and ensure they have the protections they need. Love should never hurt and survivors need to know that we will do everything in our power to help them.”

“Today and every day, we must make our voices heard loud and clear that domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence are unacceptable. This issue remains far too common in our city, with over half of the homicides in 2017 involving an intimate partner, and with Black women representing a disproportionate number of those victims,”

“Today and every day, we must make our voices heard loud and clear that domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence are unacceptable. This issue remains far too common in our city, with over half of the homicides in 2017 involving an intimate partner, and with Black women representing a disproportionate number of those victims,” said New York City Council Majority Leader, Laurie A. Cumbo.

“We are fortunate to live in a city with tremendous resources for victims of violence, and I applaud Commissioner Noel and the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence for their leadership, and the incredible organizations providing critical advocacy and direct services in all of our communities. Through the ongoing support of the Domestic Violence and Empowerment Initiative, the New York City Council has increased the capacity of community-based organizations and City agencies to provide survivors of domestic violence with vital services and resources. We must continue to uplift the voices of survivors and make sure that our communities are aware of and can access life-saving resources,” Majority Leader Cumbo continued.

“We are here today to tell the victims of domestic violence and abuse that they are not alone, and that there is help available for themselves and their families,” said Council Member Margaret Chin, Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus. “Unfortunately, too many women and men suffer the humiliation and pain of abuse in their homes. A critical step to ending the cycle of violence is by breaking the shame and stigma that force survivors to suffer in silence. Together, we can change attitudes towards all forms of gender-based violence and give victims hope for a brighter future, free from violence and abuse.”

“Domestic violence continues to be a serious criminal and public health issue in our city, and I am proud to join my Council colleagues and advocates on Go Purple Day in bringing attention to a crisis that far too many New Yorkers continue to face,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera, Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus. “We want survivors to know that there are free resources available to support them and that their City is here to help.”

“I personally know the trauma of domestic violence. No one should be physically or mentally disrespected by an intimate partner. I’m a survivor and join the fight to increase awareness and end the cycle of domestic violence in our communities. There are numerous resources available for support all victims. No one should be afraid to reach out,” said Council Member Diana Ayala.

“Domestic violence is not only a woman’s issue; it is an issue that should and must concern everyone,” said Council Member Adrienne Adams. “As New Yorkers, we each have a part in naming domestic violence, knowing the warning signs, and supporting those impacted by abuse. On NYC Go Purple Day, I reaffirm my commitment to standing with survivors, uniting with advocates, and working with my colleagues in government to put an end to domestic violence.”

“We need to get the word out that domestic violence will not be tolerated, even if the abuse is not physical, but verbal or psychological. And that these victims need not feel trapped and helpless any longer,” said Council Member Karen Koslowitz.

“While we have made great strides to put a spotlight on this public safety crisis and have expanded resources available to women, including our Family Justice Center in St. George, rates of domestic violence in Staten Island remain unconscionably high. This morning, I was pleased to join government and nonprofit agencies in disseminating life-saving information to Staten Island Ferry commuters. My hope is that we not only spread the word about resources available to victims of domestic and gender-based violence but also continue to put a spotlight on an issue that is too often not discussed,” said Council Member Deborah Rose.

“I am proud to participate in the 5th year of Go Purple Day along with my Colleagues, to spread awareness about the City’s tools in combating domestic violence. Through these critical outreach efforts and one-on-one conversations with local residents, we can move closer to solving this social and public health crisis. In 2017 alone, the NYPD responded to almost 300 domestic incidents per day. We will continue to do all that we can to get this alarming number down to 0. I thank the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) and our partnering agencies and community partners for their continued collaboration and commitment to this very important work. Thanks to the City Council’s Women’s Caucus for their leadership,” said Council Member Vanessa Gibson.