Monthly Bulletin
June 2022
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Commissioner’s Message |
Cecile Noel |
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In June, we highlight Elder Abuse Awareness Month to spread awareness and share resources to prevent and address any harm or threatened harm to an older, vulnerable adult’s health or welfare. We also celebrate Pride Month by uplifting the LGBTQIA+ community, recognizing the disproportionate impact of gender-based violence on this community, and raising awareness of inclusive and affirming programs and services available to survivors. During the pandemic, older New Yorkers experienced increased levels of isolation and unprecedented challenges and barriers to accessing care, assistance, and support. As a result, older New Yorkers were increasingly vulnerable to – physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, psychological, or financial abuse at home, in nursing homes or in assisted living facilities. According to the National Council on Aging, approximately one in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. In raising awareness of Elder Abuse this month, ENDGBV wants to ensure seniors experiencing domestic and gender-based violence do not suffer in silence and know help is available for them. ENDGBV’s Family Justice Centers and community-based partners stand ready to support older survivors with free and confidential resources including safety planning, shelter assistance, civil legal and criminal justice assistance, mental health support and more.
Pride month provides ENDGBV opportunities to join celebrations and events that educate, empower, and encourage members of the LGBTQIA+ community experiencing domestic and gender-based violence to seek help at one of our FJC’s and other community-based organizations. Our FJCs provide trauma-informed, holistic services to all regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
I encourage you to share survivor resources with your colleagues, families, and friends this month and every month of the year. In lifting up services for survivors, we help strengthen and uplift their lives. By collectively working towards a future without harassment, discrimination, abuse, and violence we show survivors hope is here and help is always available.
HELP IS AVAILABLE:
- Find resources and support in NYC by searching NYC HOPE Resource Directory online at www.nyc.gov/NYCHOPE
- NYC Family Justice Centers offer immediate safety planning, shelter assistance, mental health support, and other resources by phone or in person. For in person services, clients can call 311 for their nearest Family Justice Center to make an appointment or walk in if they cannot engage in remote services safely or effectively.
- Call 311 to be connected to the nearest NYC Family Justice Center
- Call NYC’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-621-HOPE (4673) for immediate safety planning, shelter assistance, and other resources, TTY: 866-604-5350
- In an emergency, dial 911.
- If you are a victim of elder abuse, call 311 to be connected to services or call NYC Department for the Aging Connect (in-house information and referral contact center for older adults and their families) at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) for more information.
- Call 1-888-NYC-Well (1-888-692-9355) for mental health and substance misuse support available in New York City or go to the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health website at https://mentalhealth.cityofnewyork.us/. Or you can also visit MentalHealthforAll.nyc.gov, a new comprehensive hub with helplines and services that offer a range of free, direct support to meet the needs of all New Yorkers, including young people, communities of color, and people with serious mental illness.
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Celebrating Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19th) |
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As the oldest, nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of the enslavement of African American citizens in the United States, “Juneteenth,” (June 19th) marks the anniversary of the day federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to announce that all enslaved people would be emancipated. Over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation and months after the war ended, 250,000 enslaved people in Galveston learned of their freedom.
Juneteenth’s great historical legacy is directly related to the turmoil of the U.S. Civil War, and U.S. Constitutional law abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. The name Juneteenth references the date of the holiday as June 19th combines the words, “June” and “nineteenth.” On June 17, 2021, the day was recognized as a federal holiday when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. The day now serves as a monumental celebration of freedom as a human right that was not extended to all Americans in the first 250+ years of U.S. democracy.
Recently, Mayor Eric Adams officially designated Juneteenth as a paid city holiday for the first time in New York City history. He offered, “Juneteenth is a time for reflection, assessment, and self-improvement. People across the country of all races, nationalities, and religions unite on this day to truthfully acknowledge the stain of slavery and celebrate the countless contributions of Black Americans.”
There’s great reason to acknowledge Juneteenth and celebrate its embrace of freedom, liberty, democracy, justice, and the charge for equality for all.
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GUN VIOLENCE AWARNESS MONTH |
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This June, during Gun Violence Awareness Month, ENDGBV acknowledges the lethal intersection of gun violence and domestic violence. Studies show that women are five times more likely to be killed by an abusive partner when the abusive partner has access to a firearm. Most perpetrators of mass shootings have a strong history of domestic violence.
In New York City, communities with high rates of gun violence also experience high rates of domestic violence. ENDGBV is proud to partner with the Reimagining Intimacy through Social Engagement (RISE) Project at the Center for Court Innovation to enhance services in communities disproportionately impacted by both gun violence and domestic violence.
The RISE Project works to build safer communities by providing community-based outreach and services to prevent and respond to incidents of domestic violence and gun violence. RISE is one of three community-based providers working with ENDGBV to implement Respect and Responsibility, a free, non-mandated city-wide demonstration initiative for adults who have caused harm in their relationships. The program model offers multi-week group intervention sessions, individualized assessments, case management, counseling, and other supportive services for participants.
Learn more about RISE here. To learn more about Respect and Responsibility, please contact ENDGBV here |
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NY Governor Kathy Hochul Signs Adult Survivors Act
We applaud and join our advocate colleagues in celebrating NYS Governor Hochul’s signing of the Adult Survivors Act (S.66A/A.648A), which establishes a one-year lookback window for survivors of sexual assault that occurred when they were over the age of 18 to sue their abusers regardless of when the abuse occurred.
"Today, we take an important step in empowering survivors across New York to use their voices and hold their abusers accountable," Governor Hochul said, "The fight against sexual assault requires us to recognize the impact of trauma within our justice system. I am proud to sign this legislation, which is part of our collective responsibility to protect one another and create an environment that makes survivors feel safe. While our work is not done, eradicating sexual assault begins with our ability to bring the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice and this legislation is a historic step forward." Learn more here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-signs-adult-survivors-act
We would also like to note New York State’s legislative session closed earlier this month. The legislature passed, and Governor Hochul signed into law, several pieces of legislation that benefit survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Victims of domestic violence can now opt-out of utility contracts and request address confidentiality in their voter registration. Victims of human trafficking now have more time – 15 years – to commence a civil action against their traffickers.
Fair Access to Victim Compensation
The Fair Access to Victim Compensation bill, legislation that the City of New York supported this session, passed the NYS Assembly but did not pass the Senate. The Fair Access to Victim Compensation bill would expand the eligibility for victims and survivors of crime to access victim compensation funds. The bill lengthens filing deadlines and removes the mandatory law enforcement reporting requirement. ENDGBV believes all survivors deserve fair access to victim compensation and is proud to have played a role in securing the City of New York’s support for this legislation. Learn more here: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/a8619/amendment/b
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Wall of Silence Public Art Installation
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The Wall of Silence is a six-month public art installation created to raise awareness about the criminalization of survivors of gender-based violence, which can include survivors who have been arrested for defending themselves as well as those who have been coerced into illegal activity by an abusive partner. Launching June 25th at Collect Pond Park, NYC the project is the result of a Call for Artists that ENDGBV put out in 2021 and Donna Ferrato was the selected artist. Learn more here:
https://bit.ly/3Q5ZA9J_WallofSilenceInstallation
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Neighborhood SHOPP Violence Intervention Prevention (VIP) Program
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Join Neighborhood SHOPP Violence Intervention Prevention (VIP) Program on June 28th, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm, as they present on an important conversation around the impacts of Elder Abuse. Participants will learn about the different types of abuse experienced by older adults, how to identify signs of abuse, ways to provide support to survivors and creating effective safety plans. Participants will be indulged by real life examples from experienced socials workers and be provided with a list of resources.
Please register using the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErc-quqzojHdKdidhINkz0LMtROM5pw45d
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Help is Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or gender-based violence, help is available:
- Find resources and support in NYC by searching NYC HOPE Resource Directory online at www.nyc.gov/NYCHOPE
- Call 311 to be connected to the nearest NYC Family Justice Center
- Call NYC’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-621-HOPE (4673) for immediate safety planning, shelter assistance, and other resources, TTY: 866-604-5350
- In an emergency, dial 911.
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Disclaimer: We believe in the principles of open dialogue and considering varying perspectives. Viewpoints or opinions expressed in the content of this communication or in articles linked do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, or the City of New York.
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The Office to Combat Domestic Violence (OCDV) is now the Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence. Find out more at www.nyc.gov/ENDGBV
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