THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
OFFICE TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

NEWS ADVISORY

March 24, 2004
CONTACT: Leah Cunningham, Mayor's Office
212-341-9097 (O) 917-586-3789 (C)

MAYOR'S OFFICE TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE JOINS THE NYPD, LOCAL LEADERS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE 46TH PRECINCT TO PROMOTE SAFETY IN THE HOME

EVENT: The Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, the Administration for Children’s Services, the New York City Police Department and local community based organizations met with local leaders and community members to increase awareness of domestic violence in the 46th Precinct. Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr. and Counsel General Jose Pimental Moreno of the Dominican Republic will also attend.

The event, which emphasizes the availability of multi-lingual resources to victims within the local and citywide community, follows the tragedy of two Bronx residents who died as a result of family related violence. The first victim, Ms. Cynthia Delvalle, 20, succumbed to stabbing injuries allegedly inflicted by her 28-year-old common law husband. The second victim, Ms. Betzaida (Eva) Madera, 20, succumbed to stabbing injuries allegedly inflicted by the 25-year-old father of her one-year-old child.

Domestic violence is an underreported crime and immigrant women, in particular, may be less likely to report abuse than non-immigrant women due to language barriers or cultural differences. Domestic violence is abusive behavior - emotional, physical, or sexual - that one person in an intimate relationship uses in order to control the other. Victims of domestic violence can be married, divorced, or dating.

Through the efforts of all New Yorkers to end family related violence, major domestic violence crime (murder, rape, and felony assaults) decreased by 10.8% in 2003. For help 24-hours a day, victims can call the NYC Domestic Violence Hotline at 1(800) 621-4673 or 911. Domestic violence is a crime in New York City and batterers will be held accountable.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 6:30 PM

WHERE: South Bronx Job Corps
1771 Andrews Avenue
(Corner of W. Tremont & Andrews Avenues)
Bronx, NY

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
Commissioner Yolanda B. Jimenez, Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, Administration for Children’s Services, others TBD