Assemblyman David DiPietro (R,C,I-East Aurora) attended a press conference today hosted by the Assembly Minority Task Force on Preventing Domestic Violence. DiPietro stands alongside his peers to address this grave problem facing us all and is resolved to help find solutions. The Conference introduced a host of solutions to help prevent domestic violence and assist victims.

“The task force’s findings are absolutely heartbreaking.” DiPietro said. “Hearing the stories of domestic violence victims really puts everything we do as legislators into perspective. We’ve left so many poor souls unaided, but no more. I’m confident that when we implement the task force’s recommendations we can finally help find a solution to this horrible tragedy.”

The task force has several recommendations:

• Declaring domestic violence a statewide public health crisis.
• Provide funding to cover the housing needs for those seeking shelter from their abusers.
• Create a new law “Domestic Violence in the Presence of a Child” crime which would create much more severe consequences for the abuser.
• Found a state-funded training system to promote coordination between law enforcement, prosecutors and administrators with the goal of providing seamless assistance to victims and greater understanding of their personal situation.