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

Monthly Bulletin

February 2019

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Message from Commissioner

Cecile Noel

Every February, for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, we appreciate the opportunity to center the conversation specifically on young people, whose experiences are critical to understanding and preventing intimate partner violence. Nationwide, nearly 1 in 4 teenagers experience abuse at the hands of a dating partner, which has been found to result in an increased likelihood of experiencing risky behaviors, from self-harm to tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use. Through two cornerstones of our work, training and education prevention, we help guide young people on how healthy relationships could look and feel, and how young people might more safely navigate them.

According to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (DOHMH’s) 2017 NYC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 15 percent of public high school students in New York City who reported dating someone in the past year, reported experiencing sexual dating violence. Ten percent reported being purposefully hit, slammed into something, or injured with an object or weapon by a dating partner. Yet despite these sobering statistics, parents and guardians can be unaware of the pervasiveness of teen dating violence, and how to address it with their loved ones. Not to mention that young people today also face the unique challenges of being at the vanguard of digital technology. Our NYC Healthy Relationship Training Academy (fondly known as “the Academy”) works with parents, and caregivers, and professionals working with youth, providing guidance on how to support the young people in their lives who may be experiencing unhealthy relationships. The Academy works to increase awareness and understanding of teen dating violence and technological abuse through tailored workshops, such as TechnoLOVE, reaching thousands of adolescents and young adults. It’s important to remember that digital harassment rarely occurs in isolation, and is often a red flag for other forms of relationship abuse.

February also being Black History Month, we recognize that intersecting identities situate black women and girls at a higher risk of victimization. Between 2010-2018, black females accounted for 30.9 percent of intimate partner homicides in New York City, despite accounting for only 13 percent of the population. (For this and other statistics, see ENDGBV’s 2019 Fatality Review Committee Annual Report.) Approaching our work through an intersectional lens is essential in our campaign to eradicate gender-based violence.

If you work directly with young people, consider requesting a workshop from the NYC Healthy Relationship Training Academy. The Academy offers free, peer-led, interactive workshops for youth ages 11-24, on topics such as consent, teen dating violence, and technology abuse. Our workshops act as a first line of defense for preventing dating violence by educating young people on what a healthy relationship could and should look like. The Academy also delivers workshops to parents and professionals about how to discuss relationships and spot warning signs of teen dating violence.

WHAT'S NEW

PUBLIC CHARGE RULE

On January 27th, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a nationwide injunction on the “public charge” rule. It is important to know:

The “public charge” rule does not change eligibility requirements for public benefits.

There is no “public charge” test for green card holders who apply for citizenship.

The “public charge” test does not apply to everyone. For example, it does not apply to certain categories of immigrants who have applied for certain types of immigration relief, like U and T visas, VAWA self-petitions, asylees, refugees, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.

Free legal help is available. A free, safe immigration legal service provider can be consulted for any questions or concerns by calling ActionNYC at 1-800-354-0365 and saying, “public charge.”

For more information and ongoing updates from the City, visit http://nyc.gov/publiccharge

NYC GO BLUE DAY

January 15th, we launched a new citywide campaign to promote human trafficking awareness. “NYC Go Blue Day” invited City employees to wear blue in solidarity with survivors. City Hall and the David Dinkins Municipal Building lit up blue to signify the city’s commitment to combating human trafficking.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS RESOURCE FAIR

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) held its annual Human Trafficking Awareness Resource Fair on January 10th. The fair featured over 40 agencies and providers who specialize in working with human trafficking survivors and other vulnerable populations.

SALON & COSMETOLOGY DV TRAINING

Recognizing the unique relationship that salon and cosmetology professionals share with their clients, over 35 local business owners attended our outreach training in partnership with the New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce to learn about supporting victims and how to identify signs of intimate partner violence.

RUNNER SAFETY AND CULTURE: FINDING SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE

The Run Collective hosted a discussion on runner safety featuring Assistant Commissioner of Policy and Training Hannah Pennington, for Runner Safety Awareness Week.

NYPD RESOURCE FAIR

Amairis Pena-Chavez, our Deputy Director of the Brooklyn Family Justice Center, tabling with NYPD at the January 27th NYPD Resource Fair.

ENDGBV AT 2020 VISION

Gibney Community Actionists and the NYC Healthy Relationship Training Academy’s educators attended the GSA’s annual summit, called “2020 Vision”, performing a piece from their “Hands Are for Holding” program to demonstrate the difference between healthy and unhealthy behaviors. ENDGBV’s Community Educator Kimara Lucius facilitated a conversation about consent, and together, used dance to practice communication skills.

UPCOMING

On February 5th, join us for a free live show and #HealMeToo live podcast taping featuring music by the Angel Band Project. A Love Thing will take place at the Tank NYC at 7 p.m. For more info, and to RSVP, visit: bit.ly/hm2lovething

Join us February 15th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a panel discussion on Safety & Protection for Abused Victims presented by the Caribbean Voice, in collaboration with the Faith Assembly Church and Sadhana. Register online.

OPEN CALL for lead artists to work on the NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) Community Murals Project. Visual artists will help install an internal or external mural at select H+H facilities through a collaborative process that engages patients, staff, and the local community. Deadline to apply is February 7th at 11:59pm.

ICYMI

ENDGBV PUBLICATIONS

Access our new introductory brochures for survivors and people working with survivors on IPV, human trafficking, stalking, sexual violence, and family violence.

Now Available Online: ENDGBV’s 2019 Annual Report on Domestic Violence Initiatives, Indicators and Factors

UPCOMING TRAININGS

Every month, the NYC Family Justice Centers (FJCs) host Core trainings and workshops for service providers. We also occasionally provide advanced and special trainings. You can find a list of our upcoming trainings on our website. Our Training team customizes trainings for service providers and their specific roles at City agencies and community-based organizations.

The NYC Healthy Relationships Training Academy provides free interactive, intersectional, and discussion-based workshops on teen dating violence, healthy relationships, and consent to young people ages 11-24. Request a training or workshop today

JOIN THE ENDGBV TEAM

Now Accepting Applications

Exciting full-time positions are now open across our teams. To learn how you can apply online or share our openings with your networks, visit bit.ly/joinendgbv or visit the NYC’s Jobs site and search by Job ID number:

Director of Training Programs and Initiatives (Job ID: 29469)

Executive Director, Bronx Family Justice Center (Job ID: 430576)

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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