Albany - The NYS Legislature took a momentous step yesterday and joined 49 other states in extending equal protection of law to all victims of domestic violence. On Monday, the Senate and Assembly unanimously passed legislation to expand access to orders of protection in Family and Integrated Domestic Violence (IDV) Courts. Currently, unless victims are related by blood or marriage, or have a child in common with their abuser, they cannot obtain a civil order of protection in New York , leaving the criminal justice system as the only option—the only state for which this is true.
In addition to lifting this particular discrimination against victims in same-sex relationships and co-habitants living in a state that does not recognize common law marriage, Safe Homes of Orange County and the Orange County Coalition Against Domestic Violence are greatly relieved to see these protections extended to victims of teen-dating violence, an escalating problem in all our communities. In 2007 Safe Homes presented to over 1200 area teens about healthy and safe dating relationships. In general, teen victims do not seek criminal intervention; they simply want the violence to stop. This expanded access to Family and IDV Court will open that avenue to them.
“Safe Homes commends the New York State Legislature for passing this important Legislation and joining 49 other states providing equal access to all victims of domestic violence. Furthermore, we congratulate the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the advocates who have been working on this issue for the last 20 years,” said Michele McKeon, Executive Director of Safe Homes of Orange County . “We also want to thank our local Assembly men and women and Senators who voted in support of the legislation.”
Founded in 1986, Safe Homes of Orange County is fully dedicated to providing comprehensive services to individuals and families affected and displaced by domestic violence. Services include temporary shelter; a Family Justice Center offeringcentralized, free legal services; advocacy and accompaniment before the courts, police departments and the Department of Social Services; individual and group support; education and prevention programs for adults and teens—and all the same services in English and in Spanish. For more information, or for help, call Safe Homes’ 24-hour-hotline, 1-888-503-HOPE (4673).
