New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed two new bills into law on Tuesday, Nov. 22, which provide support for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence in New York City. Intro. 153-A amends the City’s administrative code by establishing a housing stability program for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, while Intro. 154-A amends the City’s administrative code by requiring the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) to create an online services portal and resource guide for survivors.

 

“Everyone deserves to be safe in their relationships and live a life free of domestic and gender-based violence,” said Adams of the new bills. “This is a public safety issue that impacts us all. Domestic and gender-based violence can happen to anyone, anywhere in our city, and we have a sacred duty to protect these survivors. By signing these two bills into law, we are continuing to protect those at risk and ensuring they have a chance to thrive. Together, we can end domestic and gender-based violence and build a city where everyone is safe in their homes and in their communities.”

 

Intro. 153-A, sponsored by Queens city council member, Tiffany Cabán, and requires ENDGBV, in consultation with the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) and community-based organizations, to establish a program to provide survivors of domestic and gender-based violence with a low-barrier grant and supportive services that would help survivors with expenses related to maintaining housing. The bill will require ENDGBV to report on the program on an annual basis. The legislation also updates the definitions section used in this section of the code.

 

Intro. 154-A, also sponsored by Cabán, will require ENDGBV to establish an online portal and a written resource guide of available services for survivors of domestic or gender-based violence in New York City. The portal and guide is to be aligned with ENDGBV’s NYCHope resource, and is to be available in the designated citywide languages.

 

Reacting to the signing of the bills, the council member said, “When I first became chair of the Committee on Women and Gender Equity, I shared that my focus this term would be on shifting resources and power away from patriarchal systems of violence and punishment and toward the compassionate, life-giving systems which we have sidelined and devalued for too long.”

 

Cabán added, “I am very proud to be delivering on that promise with the two bills the mayor is signing today. These two laws will save lives. The online portal and written resource guide, available in all major languages and in Braille, will make it much more likely that survivors will know about, and take advantage of, the great life-saving programs already available in our city. The low-barrier urgently accessible grant program will directly address one of the most significant barriers survivors face in leaving dangerous situations: economic precarity. I look forward to working with the mayor to fully fund and thoughtfully implement these laws and can’t wait to celebrate many survivor success stories together.”

 

The guide will also be available in Braille. The portal will include a clear and conspicuous link to any other relevant city-run websites and portals that provide information on survivor services located within the city and a description of the types of such resources. Finally, the bill will require ENDGBV to conduct outreach on the portal and guide, and to ensure the portal is secure and confidential to protect the privacy of survivors.

 

The signing of the bills ushered in the City’s annual, ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign,’ which kicked off on Nov. 25 (International Day to End Violence Against Women), and ends on Dec. 10 (Human Rights Day). The campaign encourages New Yorkers to learn more about the consequences of gender-based violence, and urges government, community, corporate, and philanthropic sectors to take concrete and impactful actions to eliminate gender-based violence. New Yorkers can learn more, join the campaign, or help share the resources and services available to survivors throughout New York City by visiting the 16 Days website.

 

District 13 City Councilwoman Marjorie Velázquez, said of the new laws, “Domestic and gender-based violence survivors are one too many, and we must work together to ensure those impacted by acts of violence have access to the necessary resources to heal and rebuild.” She added, “No one should ever have to be concerned with the financial burden of maintaining housing for their families, nor should anyone find themselves struggling to identify resources that fit their unique needs. I am proud of the strides this Council has made, and I will continue to support survivors as they rise against the odds.”

 

As reported, on Tuesday, Oct. 18, New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a package of legislation that, among other measures, aims to strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence and gender-based violence by ensuring guns are seized from abusive partners and protecting the confidentiality of survivors.

 

As also reported, hundreds showed up for Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark’s 5th Annual Bronx Walk/Run/Roll to Prevent Domestic Violence on Saturday, Oct. 15, to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

 

New York State’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline provides free, confidential support 24/7 and is available in most languages. Call (800) 942-6906, text (844) 997-2121 or chat at @opdv.ny.gov. Individuals also can visit www.ovs.ny.gov/connect to find a victim assistance program in their community.

 

The Office of Victim Services funds and supports more than 200 programs that provide direct services for victims and survivors of crime and their families, including therapy, support groups, case management, civil legal assistance, accompaniment to court, and transportation, among other assistance.

 

Local services for those affected by domestic or gender-based violence are also available in The Bronx. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or gender-based violence, call 311 and ask to be connected to a NYC Family Justice Center or walk-in Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call the NYC 24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline on 1-800-621-4673, or visit the NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence for more information.

 

If you are in immediate danger, if you can, dial 911.