Governor Kathy Hochul today recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in New York State, issuing a proclamation and directing that all State landmarks be illuminated in purple tonight, October 1, and on Purple Thursday, October 19, in honor of those impacted by domestic violence. Coinciding with this proclamation, the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence will conduct weekly ‘Domestic Violence 101’ training and ‘Gender-Based Violence Awareness Training for Social Service Districts’, collaborate with the State Office of General Services to host the New York State Clothesline Project, collaborate with Syracuse University to host a Start the Conversation: Engaging Men and Boys Panel, and recognize #PurpleThursday.

“My mother dedicated her life to helping survivors of domestic violence, and her memory inspires me every day to take action,” Governor Hochul said. “While we take time to uplift survivors this month, we also acknowledge our commitment to preventing domestic violence and keeping New Yorkers safe. I am committed to using every tool at my disposal to end domestic violence and support survivors.”

In compliance with Executive Order 19, all New York State agencies have created internal Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace policies and the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence has trained almost 70,000 New York State employees in the Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace training.

New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Owens said, “Domestic violence isn’t confined to the home, so we shouldn’t only be talking about it at home. Those impacted by domestic and gender-based violence often seek help at work, in their community, and from their loved ones. It is time to start the conversation and know the resources available. OPDV is proud to have trained almost 70,000 State employees through the Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace training, which provides the tools on how to address domestic and gender-based violence in the workplace. Thank you, Governor Hochul, -for protecting employees who have experienced gender-based violence and for your ongoing commitment to this important issue.”

In collaboration with Syracuse University, OPDV will be holding a panel focusing on the Pledge of Accountability Against Gender-Based Violence. The pledge is part of a larger state effort to increase men and boys’ role in violence prevention. In partnership with Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, OPDV launched the Pledge of Accountability Against Gender-Based Violence and our Start the Conversation: Engaging Men and Boysmedia campaign on April 12th. The panel will focus on a discussion as to why the panelists signed the Pledge for Accountability Against Gender-Based Violence and how they are preventing gender-based violence in their lives. This event will be held at Syracuse University on October 24that 6pm. OPDV will continue to promote their Pledge for Accountability Against Gender-Based Violence. Since its launch in April, OPDV has been proud to partner with, and highlight, two New York State officials and 10 New York State agencies as they took the Pledge of Accountability.

The agency will also recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month by hosting the New York State Clothesline Project. October of 1990 saw the original Clothesline Project with 31 shirts displayed on the village green in Hyannis, Massachusetts, as part of an annual “Take Back the Night” March and Rally. Throughout the day, women came forward to create shirts and the line kept growing. This very action serves many purposes. It acts as an educational tool for those who come to view the Clothesline; it becomes a healing tool for anyone who make a shirt – by hanging the shirt on the line, survivors, friends and family can literally turn their back on some of that pain of their experience and walk away; finally it allows those who are still suffering in silence to understand that they are not alone. The exhibit at the Empire State Plaza concourse will provide information on local service providers and New York State resources.

OPDV will also host ‘Domestic Violence 101’, an hour-long virtual training course for staff, supervisors, and administrators working in local districts, private nonprofit agencies, municipalities, and other professionals who help survivors of gender-based and domestic violence. This web-based training is a basic introduction to gender-based and domestic violence, including definitions, defining consent and statistics.

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Domestic violence impacts many individuals and families across New York with tragic and destructive consequences, and it’s so important that survivors receive exceptional resources and unwavering support. I thank Governor Hochul for her dedication and commitment to addressing this issue with a plan of action.”

New York State Office of Children and Family Services Acting Commissioner Suzanne Miles-Gustave said, “We are grateful to Governor Hochul for being such a tremendous champion for domestic violence survivors. As OCFS strives to protect our children and strengthen families, it is clear that continued collaboration between human services agencies and advocates is key to keeping children and the adults in their lives safe. We are so proud of our longstanding partnership with OPDV in which we assist in training local districts of social services staff and help implement the Safe and Together model, a strengths-based approach to confronting domestic violence. During this month, OCFS is honored to further support these efforts through public awareness and educational programming, as well as delivering necessities to our local shelters so they can provide even greater care and concrete resources to domestic violence survivors.”

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Acting Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “The intersection between domestic violence and poverty is undeniable and Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a good time for all of us to redouble our efforts to support survivors of gender-based violence. OTDA is proud of its efforts with OPDV to ensure that frontline social services workers are trained to recognize those who may have experienced intimate partner violence and connect them with the supports and services they need to stabilize their lives.”

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “My team is committed to providing funding, training and other resources to local criminal justice partners and community-based organizations that help victims and survivors of interpersonal violence find the services and support they need to live safely. I thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to this issue and for working tirelessly to ensure New York is a safe place for all.”

New York State Office of Victim Services Director Elizabeth Cronin said, “Those impacted by domestic violence show bravery and strength in the aftermath, but they must know they are not alone. Time to heal, both physically and mentally, is vital to life after victimization. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for supporting survivors and ensuring New York can provide a safe place for those leaving abuse behind to start life anew.”

New York State’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline provides free, confidential support 24/7 and is available in most languages: 800-942-6906 (call), 844-997-2121 (text) or @opdv.ny.gov (chat). Individuals also can visit www.ovs.ny.gov/connect to find a victim assistance program in their community. The Office of Victim Services also funds and supports 239 victim assistance programs across the state that provide essential services, such as crisis counseling, support groups, case management, emergency shelter, civil legal help, and relocation assistance, among other assistance, to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes, and their families.