Paying Tribute to Sanctuary for Families,
The New York City Family Justice Center in Brooklyn,
Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A,
The North Brooklyn Coalition Against Family Violence

Brooklyn, New York—Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns will be joined by Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Yvette Clarke, District Attorney Charles Hynes, Borough President Marty Markowitz, Assemblymember Annette Robinson and other elected officials in a press conference on Monday, August 4th at noon at Brooklyn Borough Hall (Rotunda), located at 209 Joralemon Street in Brooklyn New York.  Rep. Towns introduced House Resolution 1394, honoring Sanctuary for Families, the New York City Family Justice Center in Brooklyn, Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A, and The North Brooklyn Coalition Against Family Violence for their great work in domestic violence prevention, intervention and treatment services.

“I would like to express my tremendous respect and appreciation for the invaluable work that Sanctuary for Families, the New York Family Justice Center, Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A, and the North Coalition Against Family Violence do on a daily basis,” said Rep. Towns.  “Of course, these are only four of many wonderful organizations in Brooklyn who provide much-needed, life-saving services to those who desperately need it – the vulnerable and hurting victims of domestic violence. This forum pays tribute to our honorees as well as to every organization, whose contributions protect, empower and redirect the lives of so many who suffer from this life-altering experience.”

“Victims of domestic violence come from every walk of life and every socio-economic background.  The violence often goes unnoticed because it usually occurs in private; however, its damaging effects are felt by everyone – the victim, her family, her friends, her employer and her co-workers.  Too often, victims remain in a terrifying situation for years because they don’t know where to turn.  Fortunately, organizations like Sanctuary for Families, the New York City Family Justice Center in Brooklyn, Brooklyn Legal Service Corporation A, and the North Brooklyn Coalition Against Family Violence give them a safe place to go and vital services to help start a new life.  I am pleased to join Ed Towns in saluting their life-saving work.”

“I applaud the efforts of the various agencies that work around the clock to improve the quality of live for so many individuals and families in our beloved city,” stated Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.

The statistics reveal a disturbing story.  In 2007, the New York City Police Department responded to 229, 453 domestic violence incidents. According to a U.S. Justice Department study, in two-thirds of violent attacks against women, the woman knows the perpetrator. These attacks usually occur in the place that is supposed to be the safest – at home.  In another study, one-third of American women reported being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend with approximately 1,500 women killed each year at the hands of husbands or boyfriends.  However, the face of domestic violence has changed, and women are not the only victims. 

Domestic violence occurs in all cultures, and people of all races, ethnicities, religions, sexes and classes can be victims or perpetrators. The problem in addressing this highly volatile and often dangerous situation is that it is severely underreported.  In fact, some estimates indicate that only about a third of domestic violence cases are actually reported in the United States.  This is especially true in cases of same sex abuse and where men are victims.  Moreover, domestic violence and its destructive consequences are not isolated to women and men, but children, the entire family and even communities suffer from its devastating psychological, emotional and physical effects. 

“The New York City Family Justice Center in Brooklyn has become the cornerstone of coordinated service delivery for domestic violence victims in New York City,” said Commissioner Yolanda B. Jimenez of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence.  “It is an honor to be recognized by Congressman Towns, and we look forward to continuing this initiative in Queens and the Bronx.”

Robyn Fisher, long term coordinator of Brooklyn Legal Services’ Anti-Domestic Violence Unit, joined by Brooklyn A’s Chief Counsel, Marty Needelman, stated, “We deeply appreciate this recognition from Congressman Towns and his colleagues for this critical work.  The battle against domestic violence and the devastating direct and indirect impacts on victims and their families must be addressed with greater resources and vigor.  In doing so, we must also direct attention to the development of support systems for survivors, so that they can establish and sustain independence from their abusers, putting an end to the cycle of abuse.” 

“Sanctuary for Families is so grateful to Representative Towns for putting the critical issue of domestic violence front and center on the national stage,” says Laurel Eisner, Sanctuary’s Executive Director.  “Domestic violence has a devastating impact on women and children of all ages and from all strata of society.  We are honored to be recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives for our efforts on behalf of survivors and their children in the New York City community.”

Madeleine Dorval-Moller, the Executive Director of the North Brooklyn Coalition Against Family Violence, stated, “Domestic violence is a serious social illness that affects us all:  our children, our extended families, our neighbors and the larger community. Although we have made progress toward reducing intimate partner abuse through activism, community education and domestic violence prevention programs, in North Brooklyn, especially Bushwick, domestic violence continues to be a very serious problem.”

Rep. Towns concluded, “I am honored to recognize these agencies who wrap their arms around people in desperate situations without judgment.  They should be held in the highest regard for their laudable and honorable goals in preserving the safety and well-being of people struggling with domestic violence across Brooklyn.

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