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

Monthly Bulletin

June 2020

STAY CONNECTED:

Message from Commissioner

Cecile Noel

As our city enters Phase Two of reopening, and businesses in our city and across the country are exploring safe ways to reopen, we are entering a time of cautious optimism. While we are excited and relieved to be able to return to our hair stylists, our favorite NYC beaches and playgrounds, and sit on the sidewalks outside our favorite restaurants, we must stay vigilant about safety measures such as staying six feet away from people not living in our households and wearing our face coverings. Not to mention that we are reopening and rebuilding during a time of momentous social change.

As ENDGBV stands united with those who seek safety and justice for the Black community, we are committed to supporting survivors who depend on us during these uncertain and challenging times. We recognize that our efforts to end domestic and gender-based violence must include broader efforts to address all forms of violence, including interpersonal and structural racism, and we will continue to follow the lead of our community-based partners and communities of color on how to equitably support survivors and their loved ones now and into the future.

It is in this “new normal” that we rebuild, and it is natural to feel renewed anxiety, fear, uncertainty and grief during this time. For many, it may still feel incredibly isolating. During the month of June (also Pride and Elder Abuse Awareness month) and as the summer progresses, please remember to take care of yourself and your family, and to check in on your friends and neighbors. Seniors, survivors of gender-based violence, and other vulnerable populations need us, their community, more than ever. It is important for us to promote open and honest dialogue, to encourage people to seek help, and to highlight the mental health services and supports available to all New Yorkers.

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, New Yorkers can 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).

As our lives resettle into new habits and routines, it underscores the critical importance of community, supporting our loved ones, and taking care of our most vulnerable New Yorkers. I thank you for your partnership and I am confident that, together, we will continue to rebuild and emerge even stronger, and with more equitable measures.

COVID-19 UPDATES

During Phase II of Reopening, NYC FJCs and the City’s 24/7 DV hotline remain available to survivors by phone. Service modifications remain in place citywide; check the list of City Agency Suspensions and Reductions for the latest information.

Service modifications at ENDGBV:

NYC Family Justice Centers are available by phone to offer guidance on immediate safety planning, shelter assistance, legal consultations, counseling sessions, case management sessions, community resources, and more. Call Mondays - Fridays, 9 AM to 5 PM on the FJC phone line:

Brooklyn: 1-718-250-5113

Bronx: 1-718-508-1220

Manhattan: 1-212-602-2800

Queens: 1-718-575-4545

Staten Island: 1-718-697-4300

After hours and on weekends, survivors can call the City's 24-hour Domestic Violence hotline: 1-800-621-4673 (HOPE); TTY: 1-800-810-7444.

Survivors with access to the internet can also visit NYC HOPE (www.nyc.gov/NYCHOPE) for additional resources and information.

Service suspensions at ENDGBV include: in-person meet and greets, tours, trainings, and workshops.

Businesses may require customers to wear a face covering to enter. Subways in New York City have returned to regular weekday service, but the overnight 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. subway service remains paused until further notice. Buses are also back on regular weekday service in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. You can visit mta.info/overnight to plan travel alternatives, and find New York City’s official Reopening Plan at https://forward.ny.gov/.

WHAT'S NEW

The NYC Healthy Relationships Training Academy has put together a new video series to introduce teen dating violence and healthy relationships to NYC youth. It is especially designed to present warning signs of dating violence and share important resources available to youth in middle school and high school in New York City. You can access our video playlist on ENDGBV's YouTube channel, and use this lesson plan for educators and the assignment for students. Connect with us with feedback on the Academy’s videos or to collaborate on remote training.

New Yorkers Can Now TEXT 911

"Always call 911 if you can. Text only if you can't." For survivors of gender-based violence and members of the Deaf community when they are in need of 911 services, the service is now live. To share the message, you can download marketing materials, including videos for those who are Deaf and hard of hearing (with English and Spanish subtitles and voice-overs), and an ad in English and Spanish

NYC middle schoolers can now sign up for fun, creative and free Early Relationship Training Program (Early RAPP) sessions happening on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, from July 14 to August 7. Participants have a chance to win prizes and gift cards, and will earn an Early RAPP Leadership Certificate at the conclusion of the program.

Pre-registration and guardian permission are required. For more info, email: EarlyRAPPsummer@gmail.com

Free meals will continue to be available for all New Yorkers at 400 meal hubs citywide throughout the summer. Meals can be picked up Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All sites offer vegetarian and halal options, with select hubs offering kosher certified meals. Find a meal hub near you

The NYC Department of Education (DOE’s) Regional Enrichment Centers (RECs) also remain open and available to the children of frontline and essential workers. Learn more about eligibility and enrollment

ICYMI: COVID-19 RESOURCES

The NYC Test & Trace Corps works to get New Yorkers tested for COVID-19 and providing resources to those who have tested positive, such free temporary isolation housing at hotels for people who do not require medical care and are unable to isolate where they live. The Corps are committed to protecting the privacy and security of New Yorkers’ personal and health information to the maximum extent permitted by federal, state and city law. Learn more about testing

The City’s network, NYC Media, continues to run 24/7 programming to offer 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.

To get important COVID-19 related updates sent to your phone, text ‘COVID’ to 692-692. Text ‘COVIDESP’ to get updates in Spanish.

Emergency food assistance is available by calling the Emergency Food Hotline at 1-866-888-8777, or using 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 the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other benefits.

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.

The NYC Unity Project has published a guide with nearly 100 LGBTQ+ affirming services available during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The guide includes resources on mental health, physical health and wellness, peer and community support, food assistance and legal help. View the resources at www.nyc.gov/lgbtqcovid

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 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!

In the News

Swiss Women Stage a Mass Scream Over Domestic Violence, Pay Gap

Read the full story in the New York Times

Schumer calls for law to help rising number of domestic violence victims

Read the full story in the Staten Island Advance

Don’t Use Domestic Violence Victims To Derail Police Reform

Read the full story in HuffPo

NJ Courts COVID Response Causes Problems for Domestic Violence Victims

Read the full story at WNYC

COVID-19: UNDP urges swift action to address violence against women and girls during pandemic

Read the full story at UNDP.org

She Tried to Escape Her Ex—but the Courthouse Was Closed

Read the full story at The Daily Beast

In the Heart of New York’s Pandemic, This Group Is Fighting for South Asian Abuse Survivors

Read the full story at Rewire

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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