GOVERNOR HOCHUL: $35 million in state funding allotted to strengthen domestic violence resources

ALBANY, NY- A record $35 million state investment was announced this week by Governor Kathy Hochul’s office to improve the public safety response to intimate partner abuse and domestic violence, and better address the needs of victims and survivors.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and each region statewide will receive a chunk of this funding.

Locally, the North Country will receive $647,344, while the Mohawk Valley will receive just over $1.5 million. “Safety doesn’t stop at the threshold of your home, and my number one priority is the safety of all New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said.

“That’s why I’m funding law enforcement responses to domestic violence of the highest possible caliber, using the most effective and innovative interventions to stop abusive partners in their tracks and save lives. Everyone deserves to be safe at home, free from violence and abuse.”

There are 20 counties statewide participating in New York’s Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence initiative (STRIVE). Each of these counties has reported the largest volume and rate of domestic and intimate partner violence.

Locally, Jefferson and Oneida are among them, according to the Governor’s Office.

Counties participating in STRIVE also will receive training and technical assistance from the State and national experts to implement their county plans and chosen strategy or strategies; and access crime analysis, intelligence development and investigative support from the State’s network of 11 Crime Analysis Centers to identify perpetrators and build effective cases for prosecution.

DCJS will receive up to $7 million for that work and the funding will also support efforts to improve the ways in which state agencies respond to intimate partner and domestic violence, including:

• A multiagency review led by DCJS, in coordination with OPDV, to modernize the State’s current, paper-based Domestic Incident Report (DIR), and State DIR repository for law enforcement. Police officers are required to complete this report whenever they respond to a domestic call, regardless of whether an arrest is made.
• A summit sponsored by DCJS and OPDV later this month to educate law enforcement, attorneys, social services staff, gender-based violence services providers and other local and state professionals about tools to assess danger in intimate partner and domestic violence cases. OPDV also works with DCJS and other state agencies to inform local practices through its Domestic Violence Regional Councils, Fatality Reviews and Survivor Listening Sessions.

Image via the office of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul.