MAYOR GIULIANI RECOGNIZES HIP'S CHAIRMAN ANTHONY WATSON FOR HIS LEADERSHIP IN COMBATING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today presented Anthony Watson, Chairman and CEO of the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP), with a certificate of recognition for his leadership in the fight against domestic violence. At a press conference at HIP's headquarters in Manhattan, the Mayor recognized Mr. Watson's role in protecting potential and actual victims of domestic violence through information, support, counseling and health care services.
Joining the Mayor and Mr. Watson were Ninfa Segarra, Deputy Mayor for Education and Human Services; Maria Mitchell, Co-Chairman of the Mayor's Commission to Combat Family Violence; Lucy Friedman, Executive Director of Victims Service; and Amalia Betanzos, Chairman of the Commission on the Status of Women.
"I am proud to be here today to recognize Anthony Watson for his strong commitment to the battle against domestic violence," said Mayor Giuliani. "Under Tony's leadership, HIP has been diligent, cooperative and innovative in the prevention, intervention and treatment of domestic violence, which too frequently opens the door to other serious problems.
"Families torn apart by domestic violence are more likely to be at risk for drug abuse and alcoholism than other families. Other consequences of domestic violence are child neglect and abuse, and youngsters joining gangs to compensate for the lack of support in a broken family. Thanks to people like Anthony Watson, who inspire their companies to serve in their communities, we can break the vicious cycle of domestic violence and bring hope to thousands of New Yorkers," concluded the Mayor.
Anthony Watson said "We at HIP are honored to be recognized by a Mayor who understands the tragedy of domestic violence. Over the last three and a half years, New York City has gained prominence as a national leader in the fight against domestic violence and I am proud to be a part of the efforts to prevent family violence and to safe keep and heal its victims."
On July 24th, Mayor Giuliani announced a new partnership with HIP and Victims Services to train medical directors, primary care providers, medical specialists and administrative personnel to detect signs of domestic violence. Under an integrated network of medical and mental health providers, community based services, and continuous care management, the partnership also provides the victims of domestic violence timely access to intervention and treatment.
Giuliani Administration initiatives include:
- A comprehensive Police Department strategy to break the cycle of domestic violence including dedicated domestic violence officers and investigators in each precinct, a computer tracking system and an intensive, ongoing training program to ensure adherence to the New York Police Department's (NYPD) pro-arrest policy for domestic violence related crimes.
- A domestic violence protocol for every municipal health care facility including dedicated domestic violence coordinators in each facility, training for all hospital staff, and the collection of data for a joint Health & Hospitals Corporation (HHC)/ Department of Health (DOH) Domestic Violence Surveillance Program.
- Trained counselors from Victim Services are available around the clock on the City's first 24-hour, multi-lingual, dedicated Domestic Violence Hotline to offer emergency counseling and referrals to all New Yorkers, including people who are hearing-impaired.
- The Citywide Domestic Violence Public Education Campaign has been widely displayed on posters throughout the City's transportation system, and public service announcements have been aired on radio.
- By 1997, shelter bed capacity under the Giuliani Administration will have increased by 40%, while innovative alternatives to domestic violence shelters, like the Alternative to Shelter Pilot, have offered victims of violence new safety options.
- Project L.I.F.E. (Legal Initiative for Freedom and Empowerment) has increased victim access to free, trusted legal services through a partnership with 17 private law firms.
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