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

Monthly Bulletin

May 2020

STAY CONNECTED:

Message from Commissioner

Cecile Noel

During the month of May, we commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month(MHAM). It is a reminder for us all to mind our mental health and the long-term impacts that a pandemic can cause. The mental health effects of COVID-19 do not stop at the doors of our brave first responders. Feelings of sadness, anxiety, stress, and grief are common and to be expected at the moment, and it is important for us to promote open and honest dialogue around mental health, address the stigmas that may prevent people from seeking help, and highlight the mental health services and supports available to New Yorkers.

Through this unprecedented time of isolation and loss, when we are not yet able to meet with our loved ones to seek solace or grieve as a community, the City remains committed to offering free and confidential mental health support to New Yorkers. ThriveNYC has launched a resource guide for New Yorkers to access from anywhere, and NYC Well continues to provide support in over 200 languages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To connect with a trained counselor at NYC Well, call 1-888-NYC-WELL or text “WELL” to 65173. New York State has also launched a COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline, available by calling 1-844-863-9314.

For survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, our New York City Family Justice Centers will continue to offer immediate safety planning, shelter assistance, mental health support, and other resources by phone. On evenings and weekends, the City’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline remains available at 1-800-621-4673 (1-800-621-HOPE). Your city is here for you.

As our lives have been upended by the emergency, it has reinforced the critical importance of our communities, supporting loved ones, and taking care of our most vulnerable New Yorkers. Not to mention that it has and continues to redefine how we do all of these things. As we forge a path forward through the uncertainty, there are a few things I remain certain of. Every day, I am uplifted by the altruism demonstrated by our frontline workers, whose bravery and compassion speak volumes. Every day, my spirits are bolstered by news of how our fellow New Yorkers are being good neighbors, living examples of the shared responsibility that we all have to one another. As we continue to navigate uncharted waters together, I am confident that New York will emerge stronger than ever. I encourage you to stay connected with official news and updates from the City by going online, calling 311, or reaching out to us at ENDGBV. We’re here for you.

COVID-19 UPDATES

Late-night MTA-New York City subway service will pause between 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. until further notice. During this time, the MTA will provide expanded bus service, cross-honor MetroCards for commuter rails, and provide one free for-hire-vehicle trip each night for essential workers. Visit mta.info/overnight to plan travel alternatives.

New York’s PAUSE order remains in effect until May 15. All non-essential businesses remain closed. New Yorkers should only go outside for essential tasks like getting groceries and supplies, or seeking necessary medical care.

All New Yorkers are now required to wear a mask or face covering when out in public and maintaining a six-foot distance from others is not possible, such as at the grocery store. Essential businesses may also require a face covering to enter.

On April 11, Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza announced that New York City public schools will not reopen for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. The NYC Department of Education (DOE) has opened Regional Enrichment Centers (RECs) that are available to the children of frontline and essential workers. Visit DOE’s website for information on eligibility and enrollment

Free meals are available for ALL New Yorkers at over 400 meal hubs across the City. Meals can be picked up Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for children and families, and for adults, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Find a meal hub near you on the DOE website. All sites offer vegetarian and halal options, with select hubs offering kosher certified meals.

Emergency food assistance is available. Call the Emergency Food Hotline at 1-866-888-8777, or visit the FoodHelp NYC map to find your nearest food pantries and community kitchens. If you need help buying food, visit ACCESS NYC to determine eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other benefits.

Community healthcare providers can now refer clients who are COVID positive or COVID-symptomatic, do not require medical care, and unable to isolate where they live, to the Hotel Isolation Program, which provides free hotel stays to eligible New Yorkers who wish to reduce the risk of transmission at home.

The City’s network, NYC Media, is now running 24/7 programming and providing information for the COVID-19 crisis. The channel offers live video coverage of Mayoral press conferences and the latest public service announcements, including COVID-19 related emergency alerts, the latest guidance, and changes in City services. NYC Gov is available on Spectrum 74, FiOS 24, Altrice 74, RCN 81 and over-the-air broadcast on 25.2.

You can text ‘COVID’ to 692-692 to get important COVID-19 related updates sent straight to your phone. You can text ‘COVIDESP’ to get updates in Spanish.

ICYMI

COVID-19 RESOURCES

RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS AND PARTNERS

Many resources remain available for survivors during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Check ENDGBV’s Resources Page for Survivors During COVID-19 where survivors and allies can find current information and links about safety, shelters, meals, courts, social services, and more; and domestic violence programs can find information about small business relief, operating field operations, and more.

SAFETY PLANNING GUIDES

Sanctuary for Families has released a safety planning guide for survivors of gender-based violence. The guide offers digital tools and safety tips from survivors to survivors, to mitigate the risk of harm with an abusive partner. (Also available as Safety Planning flyer PDFs in English and Spanish.)

The Anti-Violence Project has also published a helpful guide, “Tips for When Staying Home Isn't the Safest Plan”.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS GUIDE FOR TRANSGENDER NEW YORKERS

Transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals are uniquely vulnerable to discrimination during a public health crisis. Check out Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund’s Know Your Rights Guide for Transgender New Yorkers Navigating COVID-19 for answers to common questions related to legal rights and healthcare access.

NYC SENIORS – NYC IS HERE FOR YOU

Seniors may also be susceptible to abuse in times of crisis. FJCs partners also provide services to elders who may be experiencing abuse, and the hotline is available as well.

Senior centers are currently closed. Aging New Yorkers can reach out about receiving meals delivered to their door by calling their local senior center, or Aging Connect at 1-212-AGING-NYC (1-212-244-6469) or 311.

Aging New Yorkers feeling lonely or isolated can connect with a friendly volunteer to chat over the phone. Call 1-212-AGING-NYC (1-212-244-6469) and ask about the Friendly Visiting Program.

GET COVERED NYC

Uninsured New Yorkers can now enroll in health insurance as part of an extended Special Enrollment Period through June 15, 2020. Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/GetCoveredNYC for free enrollment assistance.

GET COUNTED, NYC!

Taking ten minutes to answer ten questions—none of which are about immigration status, and all of which are prohibited by federal law from being shared with law enforcement or shared for any purposes other than statistical reporting—will affect the funding that New York City receives for housing, education, roads, and more the next ten years. Census results also affect New York’s representation in every level of government. The 2020 Census will be available online at my2020census.gov until mid-August. Get counted, New Yorkers!

WHAT'S NEW

DENIM DAY NYC 2020 VIRTUAL RALLY

Marking Denim Day NYC’s tenth anniversary, ENDGBV staff and the New York City advocacy community joined the Denim Day NYC virtual rally to stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence.

BREAKING DISTANCE PODCAST PREMIERE

Denim Day NYC Coalition members from Safe Horizon, STEPS to End Family Violence, and ENDGBV’s Training & Curriculum Specialist Maisie Breit spoke with Beauty for Freedom about client services, community programs, sexual domestic and intimate partner violence prevention and more. Find the podcast on Spotify or listen here: https://on.nyc.gov/2xTFgVx.

Recently released ENDGBV materials include this Remote Safety Planning and Risk Assessment Guidance for Law Enforcement [FLY-013-E (4/2020)] and Tips for Direct Service Providers During COVID-19 [FLY-014-E (4/2020)]. Find and download outreach materials on our website

UPCOMING

VIRTUAL TOWNHALL: DV RESOURCES DURING COVID-19

Join us May 14 at 11am for a virtual townhall on domestic violence resources during COVID-19 presented by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President Sharon Lee, and ENDGBV with presentations from Safe Horizon and Violence Intervention Program.

To RSVP, visit www.queensbp.org/RSVP.

TELE-TOWNHALL WITH CM MARK GJONAJ

On May 22, ENDGBV will be joining Council Member Mark Gjonaj for a Domestic Violence Resources Tele-Townhall with Violence Intervention Program, New York Legal Assistance Group, and New York Women’s Chamber to learn about the available resources for survivors of domestic violence.

To RSVP, contact Councilman Gjonaj’s Office by calling 718-931-1721 or emailing MGjonaj@council.nyc.gov.

In the News

Domestic Violence during COVID Crisis

Read full story at Queens Chronicle

Celebrarán de manera virtual el ‘Denim Day’ para protestar contra la violencia doméstica y de género

Watch full video at Univision Nueva York

Domestic Violence Websites See a Surge in Number of Visits

Watch full video at CNN

Some Domestic Violence Hotlines Are Reporting a Dip in Calls. Here’s Why That’s Bad News.

Read full story at NY1

For Domestic Violence Victims, Stay-at-Home Orders Do Not Offer Safety

Read full story at CBS News

How Domestic Violence Victims Can Get Help during Stay-at-Home Order

Read full story at News12 The Bronx

Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Crisis: Where to Get Help in the Tri-State

Read full story at NBC News New York

La violencia doméstica durante la pandemia: dónde obtener ayuda en el área triestatal

Read full story at Telemundo 47

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.

Read the Privacy Policy

#AwarenessHelpHope

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