Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence

Monthly Bulletin

October 2018

Message from Commissioner

Cecile Noel

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

As we commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) this October, I am hopeful. I am hopeful that movements to eradicate gender-based violence will continue to grow stronger. I am hopeful about the trajectory of survivor rights and access to resources, especially in New York City. And I remain hopeful that we will prevail in changing our culture and our future—from critical wins in individual cases, to impactful lobbying for broad policy changes.

While many decisions on a national level have been troubling, there are still major accomplishments happening around the world. This year, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to activists Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege in recognition of their "efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war”, sending a clear message that sexual violence and gender-based violence, occurring in all communities, are human rights violations.

This DVAM, our office moves forward with a new name, and an expanded mission; even more empowered to protect some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers. As the Office to End Domestic and Gender-based Violence (ENDGBV), we will continue to develop and coordinate a citywide response to intimate partner and family violence, with our expanded authority will also address gender-based violence, including sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking—as well as the continuum and intersectionality of these issues. We will also continue to create bridges across criminal justice and social services to coordinate New York City's approaches and system responses to ensure that all survivors have streamlined access to inclusive and critical resources and services.

Community outreach is an integral part of our everyday work, and during DVAM especially, we recognize that every event—every rally, march, round table, and performance—that organizations produce and participate in raises critical awareness about domestic violence, enhances our communities’ access to information, connects survivors to resources, and builds capacity in communities and with service providers to identify and respond to survivors. I encourage you, our fellow advocates and allies, to join us at citywide DVAM events and support our broader efforts to end domestic and gender-based violence:

Raise critical awareness about domestic violence on NYC Go Purple Day – October 24!

This year, the City of New York will mark our 5th annual NYC Go Purple Day on Wednesday, October 24. In partnership with the City Council and in collaboration with Councilmember Helen Rosenthal, the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence will be raising awareness and conducting local outreach at transit hubs around the City. In addition, City landmarks, including City Hall, Borough Halls, and 1 Police Plaza, will be illuminated in purple to promote DV awareness.

We encourage everyone to participate by wearing purple and raising awareness through social media by posting photos of purple landmarks and/or with colleagues wearing purple, with the hashtags #NYCGoPurple #DVAM2018 #AwarenessHelpHope. You can complete this sentence to accompany your posts: “I stand with survivors of domestic violence by ____”.

Attend a DVAM event this month.

Throughout October, events will be held around New York City to raise awareness about domestic violence, and to highlight the resources available to survivors. We invite you to join us. You can check the citywide DVAM calendar for upcoming events, and add your DV awareness events to the calendar all month long.

Connect with us online, and help us amplify our voice on social media.

We can be found online at nyc.gov/ENDGBV, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Share available DV resources for individuals seeking help with all your employees and partners.

Survivors in New York City can continue to access services and resources by calling 311, using our online resource portal at nyc.gov/NYCHOPE, or visiting any NYC Family Justice Center.

All FJCs are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m to 5 p.m. No appointment is needed, and all services are free, confidential, and available to survivors of intimate partner and family violence, stalking, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and elder abuse. FJCs welcome people of all ages, sexual orientations, and gender identities, regardless of income, immigration status, or the language you speak.

Our new Office name and expanded mission, while boldly aspirational, reflect our belief and commitment that, together with our partners and communities, we can and will truly, one day, end domestic and gender-based violence. The ENDGBV team and I thank you, our partners, for your unwavering dedication to supporting survivors. We look forward to our continued and new partnerships.

WHAT'S NEW

Commissioner Noel Kicks Off DV Awareness Month with ENDGBV Partners

Commissioner Noel commemorated DVAM during the first week of October this year with partners such as:

The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, at their Global Symposium

The Brides’ March closing ceremony, at Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center

The Bronx District Attorney’s Office, at their 5K Run, Walk, Roll

The Upper Manhattan DV Services Collaborative and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office at Shine the Light in Harlem (pictured)

Bronx Legal Services, at the Bronx DV Roundtable Immigration Symposium at Hostos College

Upcoming Public Events with the Mayor’s Office to ENDGBV

On October 12: We are hosting, in partnership with Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, a public workshop, “Surviving Partner Violence & Abuse” (RSVP to Marissa Beckett)

On October 19: We are hosting, in partnership with DOE, DYCD, and John Jay College, a youth conference for those between ages 13 to 19, "Balancing Me, You, and Us" (View flyer and register to attend)

On October 24: Citywide DVAM NYC Go Purple Day

UPCOMING TRAININGS

Family Justice Center (FJC) Trainings and Workshops

Core I at Staten Island FJC (126 Stuyvesant Place, Staten Island, NY 10301):

Introduction to Sex Trafficking

Wednesday, October 10 at 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Facilitated by Center for Court Innovation

You can register online for classes at Staten Island FJC listed above.

Core II at Staten Island FJC (126 Stuyvesant Pl, Staten Island, NY 10301):

Shelter Options for Intimate Partner Violence Survivors

Tuesday, October 2 at 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Facilitated by: Safe Horizon

Economic Empowerment for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Monday, November 5 at 2:00PM - 5:00 PM

Facilitated by: The Office to End Domestic and Gender Base Violence

Intro to Family & Matrimonial Law

Wednesday, November 7 at 10:00AM - 1:00 PM

Facilitated by: Safe Horizon

Affordable Housing

Wednesday, November 7 at 2:00PM - 5:00PM

Facilitated by: New Destiny Housing

Shelter Options for Intimate Partner Violence Survivors

Thursday, November 8 at 10:00AM - 1:00PM

Facilitated by: Safe Horizon

Intro to Immigration Law

Thursday, November 8 at 2:00PM - 5:00PM

Facilitated by: NYLAG & Her Justice

Criminal Justice Response to Intimate Partner Violence

Friday, November 9 at 2:00pm-5:00PM

Facilitated by: Richmond County District Attorney & New York Police Department

You can register online for classes at Staten Island FJC listed above.

Staten Island FJC is wheelchair accessible, including the entrance and restrooms. If you require any other accommodations, such as ASL interpretation, contact Carrie Knight (or 718-697-4304) or Nelly Bunay (or 718-697-4301) upon registration, at least three business days before the event date.

IN THE NEWS

Nobel Peace Prize for anti-rape activists Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege

Read the full story on BBC News

Financially hard-up women get help in pursuing MeToo cases

Read the full story on AP

UN Women Launches Powerful Campaign on Gender-Based Violence

Read the full story on Iceland Review

NYC Rapes Continue To Climb A Year Into #MeToo Movement

Read the full story on the Patch

FBI Report Shows Almost 20 Percent Increase in Reported Rapes

Read the full story on NBC

Military report: Young women on bases, sailors on ships at greatest risk for sexual assault

Read the full story in USA Today

Trump says it's a 'scary time' for men. Here are the stats on false sexual assault claims

Read the full story on CNN

Breaking the Silence: Opening the Closet on Domestic Violence in the LGBT Community

Read full story on WFUV

Sexual Assault Hotline Callers Report Retraumatization Following Ford Testimony

Read the full story on WBUR

After Hurricane Maria, A Hidden Crisis Of Violence Against Women In Puerto Rico

Read the full story on Refinery29

Sexual Assault and Harassment May Have Lasting Health Repercussions For Women

Read the full story on NPR

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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