A Messsage from Executive Director Amy Barasch

 

Dear Colleagues

 

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the web site for the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV). New York State’s dedication to ending domestic violence is embodied by the existence of OPDV, a unique Executive-level agency solely dedicated to improving New York’s response to and prevention of domestic violence. The job of this agency is to serve as an in-house advisor to State government on policies and best practices in the area of domestic violence, to train professionals on the issue and how it affects their work, and to serve as a resource to the public through public awareness activities and general information and guidance.

 

This website is one of the primary tools OPDV uses to communicate throughout the state, and it is designed to provide you with useful information whether you are a professional in the field, a concerned friend or colleague, or someone experiencing domestic violence yourself. On this website you will find easy access to information about domestic violence, how a victim can get help, how professionals can identify domestic violence in their work, support victims and hold offenders accountable, and how all New Yorkers can join us in preventing domestic violence in our State.

 

Domestic violence is an issue that effects many different agencies, systems, and disciplines, so we must ensure that all of these systems work together to help prevent domestic violence. OPDV coordinates a Domestic Violence Advisory Council, with participation from fifteen (15) State agencies as well as 9 appointed community representatives, as one formal way to encourage collaboration. In addition, OPDV participates in a wide variety of other interagency initiatives, such as the Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking, Operation IMPACT, the Children’s Cabinet, the NYS Transition from Prison to Community Initiative, and the OASAS ACTION initiative, and several others.

 

We have seen great progress in the movement to end domestic violence. Over the years the laws in New York State have added provisions to enhance victims’ safety and hold offenders accountable, such as mandatory arrest. Recently, New York has enacted anti-Trafficking legislation, and in 2008 Governor Paterson signed a historic bill that expanded access to Family Court enabling all intimate partners access to civil orders of protection. There is still much work to be done to ensure that New York continues to rise to the needs of the victims while holding offenders accountable, and I look forward to achieving that goal with you.

At OPDV we are committed to ensuring that we respond to concerns identified by you: victims, survivors, friends and family; service providers; professionals; advocates; legislators and concerned citizens. Please reach out to us. As a state agency, we are here to serve you and we welcome your suggestions. Our collaborative efforts on solutions will make New York a leader in the fight against domestic violence – we look forward to making New York a safer place for all New Yorkers.