Download - Tough Reference Questions in Tough Times
New York City Family Justice
Center, Queens
Queens Library
December 11, 2012
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
Commissioner Yolanda B. Jimenez
District Attorney Richard Brown
A frequent question is “What is
Domestic Violence?”
DV is a pattern of power and control. It is not just about hitting.
It usually begins with put-downs, and often includes:
Depriving a person from contact with friends and family (with different excuses as to why they need to be away from the people who care for her)….
Frequent calls and demands to know where they are each minute of the day
Telling the partner they don’t know how to care for their children or they don’t know how to care for themselves
Extreme jealousy and accusations
It will often escalate to physical aggression and brutality
Domestic violence can occur between intimate partners, siblings, or can occur between a caretaker and a vulnerable elderly or disabled
Defining the Problem
Victims/Survivors Spouse or Ex-spouse
Currently living together or previously lived together
Boyfriend/Girlfriend or Ex-boyfriend/Ex-girlfriend
Children in common
LGBTQ relationships
Who are victims of domestic
violence?
Every race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, socio-
economic status, etc.
Victims often unaware of effects of
DV to child witnesses
The effects of witnessing repeat violence can be far ranging and include: depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, insecurity, aggression toward others, physical ailments
Children see signs, hear sounds, are more aware than parents think
Children may feel responsible
The importance of safety planning
Most DV homicides occur when the victim attempts to separate from the abuser
Safety plans should be tailored according to each individual’s circumstance
QFJC clients receive safety planning, which may include:
Copying and storing important documents
Using a code with a trusted friend when abuse is escalating
Teaching children to be familiar with address and emergency numbers
Knowing how NYPD can help her remove her items from the home safely
Impact on Victim
Minimizing abuse
Love for partner and hope s/he will change
Sense that a nurturing relationship is not possible
Fear of worse harm
Traditional beliefs about marriage and parenting
Fear of ACS involvement/children being removed
Impact on Victim
Economic Dependence
Victim (and children) financially dependent on batterer
Victim does not have resources to go elsewhere independently/fear of disruption in life in moving to shelter/concerns about living in shelter
Criminal Justice System
Victim fears police or not being believed
Victim does not understand criminal court process
Additional Barriers
No Immigration Status
Non-English speaking
Elderly
Teens (fear upsetting parents)
LGBTQ (being “outted”)
Male victims
Disabled victims
Civil Service Model
Who is the expert? Client is the expert on her/his
experience
Practitioners are experts on general information and available resources
Client’s self-determination is respected She should not feel someone else is trying
to control her
She should feel she will be accepted and respected if/when she is ready to make changes
If you know someone who is a victim of
DV or intimidation by a partner
Don’t judge
Let her know that help is available
Offer to help when she is ready
Let her know that the threat to her safety may increase when she attempts to leave
It’s important for her to plan and prepare carefully
Domestic Violence Statistics
In 2011, over 700 domestic incidents were reported to the police daily
Hotline: In 2011, an average of 310 calls were made to the City’s domestic violence hotline daily
Citywide: over 700 domestic violence reports are filed daily
Nationally: Between 25% and 37% of women will be assaulted by an intimate partner in their lifetime
In 2011 there were 92 homicides in NYC; in nearly 70% of cases the victim had no prior contact with police
New York City Family Justice Center,
Queens (QFJC)
The QFJC is an initiative of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence (OCDV) in partnership with the Queens County District Attorney’s office, and 20 city agency and non-profit service providers
In NYC, there are currently three FJC’s that are all operated by OCDV: Brooklyn (2005), Queens (2008), and Bronx (2010)
Collectively, the NYC Family Justice Centers have served over 80,000 victims of domestic violence
The QFJC has had over 44,000 client visits and over 3,400 children have visited Margaret’s Place, our children’s activity room
Services Provided
The FJCs are walk-in centers open Mon-Fri, 9-5, where domestic violence victims can choose the services they want, including:
Adult and children’s counseling
Housing and public benefits assistance
Family court, matrimonial and immigration legal assistance
Meeting with law enforcement/prosecution
Self-sufficiency workshops and counseling
Client Concerns
Privacy:
Victim’s identity, status as a DV victim and immigration status may not be revealed without express written consent-- Protected under the Mayor’s Executive Order 41
Information is not shared with law enforcement, unless the client chooses to do so herself
Information is not shared with outside government agencies or entered in any publicly accessible database
NYC’s Executive Order 41
Protects Immigrants
Under New York City’s Executive Order 41 all victims of crimes in New York City, including domestic violence, can call the police for protection. New York City police officers do not report the immigration status of crime victims or crime witnesses to federal immigration authorities
Requires City employees to protect the confidentiality of information about a person’s sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic violence, status as a crime witness, receipt of public assistance, and information in income tax records
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Immigration Remedies
VAWA self-petitions
Battered spouse and battered child waivers
VAWA cancellation
U visa
T visa
Asylum
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
Language Resources
Language Line live interpretation service in 150 languages
Service providers speak 20 languages
FJC brochures available in 8 languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Creole, Russian, & Bengali online at www.nyc.gov/domesticviolence
Services Not Provided
Supervised visitation
Couples counseling or mediation
Batterers Intervention Programs
Contact information
New York City Family Justice Center, Queens 126-02 82nd Avenue
Kew Gardens, NY 11415 Office: (718) 575-4500
Safe Horizon Hotline: Safe Horizon DV Hotline – 1-800-621-HOPE
(4673)
New York City's main source of government information and non-emergency services – 311
• Safe Horizon DV Hotline – 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)