Assemblymember Barrett Helps Ensure Greater Protections and Support for Victims of Domestic Violence

April 29, 2015

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced the Assembly passed a series of bills aimed at providing better assistance and additional safeguards for victims of domestic violence, as well as steps to ensure victims are granted the justice they need and deserve. The legislation is part of the Assembly’s commitment to help provide victims of domestic violence, with the tools they need to overcome and move on with their lives. “We all know there are simply too many incidents of domestic violence in our community. As we continue to work to change the culture, we must offer every possible support to victims as they go about trying to repair their lives,” said Assemblymember Didi Barrett. “It’s important that we strengthen protections for victims and ensure the necessary resources and programs are available, including to those living in the rural parts of our community and state.” The measures passed would prohibit discrimination of victims of domestic violence in employment and housing, make the legal process easier by requiring prompt translation of domestic violence reports and court proceedings, as well as create a pilot program to allow for electronic filing of petitions for temporary orders of protection (A.272, A.6354-A, A.4347, A.162, A.6262). The legislation will also help victims of domestic violence by:

requiring hospitals to establish procedures regarding domestic violence and ongoing training programs for staff, and to designate a hospital staff member to coordinate services to victims (A.1232).
allowing victims to recover non-economic damages from any or all defendants found liable for failure to obey or enforce domestic violence orders of protection or temporary orders of protection (A.260); and
requiring wireless telephone companies to allow victims of domestic violence to opt out of shared or family plans without incurring any penalties (A.326); and
taking guns out of the hands of abusers in order to provide a better sense of safety for those affected by their crimes (A.5257, A.6340).

“Intimate partner violence is generational and 1 out of 4 adults, and 1 out of three teenagers will at some point be abused in their life. We need to stand up for those and speak out against violence in relationships; we need to use our voice to help those who have none. It is our business and its time to take a stand and instead of turning our heads. We as a community, state and nation need to educate our communities about the cycle of violence and help those who have lost their voices. We need to close the gaps of legislation because everyone deserves to be safe and free of violence. Speaking out can make all the difference,” said Christina E. Davidson, Community Educator at Grace Smith House. Domestic violence takes a devastating toll on victims, both physically and emotionally, and can take years to recover. Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can seek help 24 hours a day by calling New York’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-942-6906. For further information, visit the New York State Office of Victim Services’ website at ovs.ny.gov or the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence website at opdv.ny.gov. Local Hotlines Dutchess County:
Safe Horizon: (800)-621-HOPE (4673)
Family Services: (845)-485-5550
Grace Smith House: (845)-471-303 Columbia County:
SAFE of Columbia County: (866)-397-6161
Community Action of Columbia County: (518)-822-0849
Domestic Violence Hotline of Greene-Columbia: (518)-943-9211
Sexual Abuse Hotline: REACH Center: (518)-828-5556