NYC bills aim to provide housing stability, other services to domestic violence survivors
NEW YORK -- Two new city laws signed Tuesday will increase support for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.
The council member behind the bills says they are the first of their kind in the country.
CBS2's Lisa Rozner spoke with survivors and advocates.
Mayor Eric Adams says in 2021 alone, there were 260,000 incidents of domestic violence reports filed with the NYPD. He said that's an average of 700 a day.
"Far too often it shows violence. Many of the assaults and homicides unfortunately stem from domestic and gender-based violence," Adams said.
Tuesday, he signed legislation that requires the Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence to establish a program to provide survivors a grant that helps cover expenses related to maintaining housing.
"Whether it's for immediate housing, for safety planning, for cell phone bills, for child care. Whatever it is," said Councilmember Tiffany Caban.
Caban sponsored that bill, as well as another signed Tuesday that will establish an online portal and a written guide to connect survivors with resources.
"All the major languages, including Braille," Caban said.
Advocates say because of fear, many incidents go unreported.
At the nonprofit We All Really Matter, or WARM, founder Stephanie McGraw says it's about time. She escaped abuse 15 years ago.
"We're dealing with victims every single day," McGraw said. "They make it so difficult for you to – you gotta go to public assistance for one thing, you gotta go down to housing for another thing."
"When you ask survivors 'what do you need to be safe?' very often, the first thing they say is 'I need housing,'" said Catherine Shugrue dos Santos of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.
Sanctuary for Families says its four emergency shelters are full.
"Many of our clients are not in shelter, so that is the reason this low barrier grant is so important, because it helps them keep stable housing," said Judy Kluger of Sanctuary for Families.
Kluger says the needs have grown exponentially during COVID.
The new laws could save lives.
If you or someone you know is struggling with domestic violence, you can call Sanctuary for Families at 1-800-799-7233 or the Anti-Violence Project at 212-714-1141.
