$5 Million Boost to Aid 65 Domestic Violence Programs Statewide

A shot of homes and apartments along North Bailey Avenue in Amherst, New York.Photo byPhoto by J.M. Lesinski

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently celebrated the allotment of $5 million in funding for approximately 65 different domestic violence victim support programs across New York state, following up her establishment of the Survivors Access Financial Empowerment (SAFE) fund as part of Hochul’s State of the State address.

“I remain deeply committed to supporting New Yorkers impacted by domestic violence and to investing in new strategies to address the harms of abuse,” Hochul commented of the funding. “For many survivors, limited access to finances remains an obstacle to securing greater safety for themselves and their families. This investment in targeted emergency assistance will allow survivors to gain stability and focus on healing.”

Awards will officially be given out by the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) to selected programs for the implementation of critical actions for domestic violence survivors including moving and utility expenses, transportation, legal aid, employment training, gaining access to food, and physical, mental, and child health services.  

“This funding will provide critical emergency assistance to survivors and victims of domestic violence, helping them with basic needs and in many cases, find safety and security,” stated Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Owens of the funding. “Thank you, Governor Kathy Hochul, for this investment and thank you to everyone who participated in the discussions on how to best administer the funds.”

Also providing support services to domestic violence survivors through their statewide network of assistance programs is the New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS), which often provides a vital safety net to survivors in conjunction with OPDV. 

“OVS is proud to partner with Governor Hochul, OPDV and DCJS on the critical mission of supporting domestic violence survivors,” New York State Office of Victim Services Acting Director and Counsel John Watson noted of the funding. “We thank the Governor and our partner agencies for their work to help ensure that survivors receive the resources they need to overcome the challenges they face and to thrive. We would also like to remind survivors and providers that OVS is here to help.”

The state of New York remains the only state in the nation with no cap on counseling or medical costs, permitting victims their required assistance for as long as necessary. Eligibility remains determined by each individual’s unique access to resources. 

“We at DCJS thank Governor Hochul for her critical leadership on domestic violence prevention and survivor services,” remarked Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado of the funding. “We are proud to work with our state agency partners, like OPDV, to improve public safety by supporting effective domestic violence interventions that help save lives. Our partnerships with state and local agencies, including law enforcement leaders and domestic violence service providers, make all the difference as we scale our efforts to prevent and reduce this pervasive violence.”