Release #383-99

Contact: Sunny Mindel/Matthew Higgins 212-788-2958

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today launched the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month by urging government agencies to develop programs and events in the workplace that promote awareness and help domestic violence victims. New York City joins employers throughout the country today - the fourth annual Work to End Domestic Violence Day -- in providing domestic violence information to employees and sponsoring events throughout the month of October. In the past, City employees have conducted clothing, food and toy drives to benefit domestic violence victims living in shelters, while others brought speakers to the workplace and distributed information regarding domestic violence among co-workers. A domestic violence newsletter was distributed to all City agencies on October 1.

"Domestic violence is a brutal crime that shatters millions of lives every year, transcending race, ethnicity, social class and even gender," the Mayor said. "New York City continues to wage a comprehensive campaign against domestic violence through public education initiatives, increased victim services, and some of the most innovative enforcement programs in the nation. While we are extremely encouraged by the dramatic increases in public awareness, domestic violence remains a widespread problem throughout the nation."

The Mayor continued, "As the City's largest employer, we are reaching out to every City employee through this current initiative. I encourage all City agencies to join in this important cause and help bring an end to domestic violence."

hea Mallett, Executive Director of the Mayor's Commission to Combat Family Violence, said, "Employers need to be aware of the prevalence of domestic violence and the needs of domestic violence victims, especially since 74 percent of employed battered women reported being harassed at the workplace by their abuser by phone or in person. The Mayor's Commission to Combat Family Violence will continue to work with public and private organizations to foster the development of these important workplace initiatives."

Since 1994, New York City has introduced a number of initiatives to reduce the incidence of domestic violence, including the following:

• Jurist Monitor Program - provides a 'behind closed doors' early warning system by monitoring convicted domestic violence offenders on probation with electronic ankle bracelets, alarms in the victims' homes, voice print registration and increased reporting requirements and home visits.
• Public Education Campaign - the City's fourth domestic violence public education campaign features compelling posters running the length of subway cars that depict the many faces of domestic violence and emphasize the fundamental message that domestic violence is a crime.
• Family Literacy Program - introduced as a pilot program this year, the initiative provides funding for family literacy programs and the creation of libraries in three domestic violence shelters and two homeless shelters.
• Alternative to Shelter Program - provides domestic violence victims with the option of remaining safely in their homes through the provision of a home alarm system, a cellular telephone pre-programmed to 911, caller identification, an answering machine, and a complement of support services that includes full-time case management, counseling and referrals.
• Teen Relationship Abuse Public Education Campaign - over 40,000 posters and 175,000 brochures about teen relationship abuse have been distributed, and 12,000 service providers trained, since the start of the campaign in September 1997.
• Domestic Violence Hotline - a 24-hour toll-free hotline staffed by domestic violence professionals that provides emergency assistance and referrals, 1-800-621-HOPE (received 91,000 calls in FY 1999).
• Police Strategy No. 4 - a comprehensive strategy to fight domestic violence, including dedicated domestic violence officers and investigators in every Precinct in the City.
• Health Care Response to Domestic Violence - a domestic violence protocol for every HHC facility, including domestic violence coordinators in each facility, training for all hospital staff, and data collection and tracking.
• Substance Abuse Pilot Program - addresses the co-occurrence of substance abuse and domestic violence by enhancing existing substance abuse treatment services with domestic violence assessment, counseling, and treatment.

For more information about domestic violence, please call the Mayor's Commission to Combat Family Violence at 212-788-3156.