NYC enhances support for crime victims, survivors

The Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) have jointly unveiled plans for an extensive expansion in support services for individuals and survivors affected by crime and abuse.

This initiative aims to streamline service provision, ensuring immediate and long-term assistance through a consolidated approach. By merging various city programs under the umbrella of ENDGBV and the New York City Office of Crime Victim Supports (OCVS) managed by MOCJ, the city intends to enhance access to comprehensive resources for crime victims, particularly those from marginalized communities.

The consolidation effort encompasses a range of trauma-informed and survivor-centered programs, including responsive case management, individual and group counseling, and survivor advocacy. These initiatives are designed to address both immediate crisis needs and the long-term effects of victimization. Moreover, this strategic move aligns with national best practices for victim services provision and unlocks access to New York State victim services funding previously unavailable.

As part of the consolidation process, ENDGBV will issue new Requests for Proposals (RFPs) aimed at expanding services for New Yorkers impacted by crime, while the OCVS and ENDGBV online resource directories will be merged under NYC HOPE.

Meanwhile, MOCJ will assume responsibility for managing the city’s diversion programs, incorporating the OCVS court-mandated Abusive Partner Intervention Program (APIP), also known as Dignity and Respect, into its existing portfolio. Additionally, ENDGBV will continue to oversee Respect and Responsibility, a community-based program for individuals involved in or affected by intimate partner violence.

Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom emphasized the importance of providing swift and comprehensive support to crime victims, acknowledging the shared experiences of vulnerability, fear, and anxiety among survivors. Similarly, Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Acting Commissioner Saloni Sethi underscored the need to remove barriers hindering recovery efforts for victims and survivors, ensuring equitable access to essential services.

The collaborative effort between ENDGBV and MOCJ reflects a commitment to a seamless administration of support services, aimed at addressing the diverse and intersecting needs of individuals impacted by crime and gender-based violence. Deanna Logan, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, highlighted the city’s dedication to ensuring all victims and survivors receive consistent and readily accessible care.

Furthermore, Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park emphasized the crucial role of comprehensive support in addressing domestic violence, particularly its link to homelessness. The city remains focused on breaking down silos and strengthening the continuum of care for vulnerable New Yorkers, with initiatives like NYC HOPE prioritizing long-term stability for survivors of domestic violence.