Need help? Call our 24-hour hotline (llámenos para ayudarle) 1-800-621-HOPE (4673). If you are in immediate danger, call 911. ↓
The term “migrants” describes people who have left their home country or region to settle in another place, whether temporarily or permanently. When people come to the United States, society tends to categorize them based on their status. This is an oppressive and often racist practice.
In working to dismantle systemic racism, we call migrants or people who have left their homes to migrate to a new country or region, “new arrivals.” We try and use the term “new arrivals” to emphasize their recent arrival in a new location over their immigration status.
We strongly encourage that we adopt the term “new arrival” instead of “migrant.” For the purposes of this information, we will use both terms as they are most common.
How Safe Horizon is Supporting New Arrivals and Migrants
As the need for support in the migrant community grows, Safe Horizon is dedicated to being there for new arrivals with all our services. Our services are available for new arrivals regardless of their immigration status.
We help new arrivals in NYC get help and resources through our Immigration Law Project (ILP). We offer NYC new arrivals legal consultations and collaborate with partner organizations to hold information sessions so they can learn about immigration options, resources, and referrals. Prioritizing cultural sensitivity and accessibility, we also provide “Know Your Rights” presentations in English and Spanish.
For new arrivals who are young people and experiencing homelessness, we provide resources and services through our drop-in centers and crisis shelters at Streetwork Project. Recognizing the diverse needs of our clients, we provide translators to assist those who do not speak English. We organize mini-clinics to help them apply for essential documents like NYCID and emergency medical insurance NYC Care, connect young people to resources such as ESL classes and other educational opportunities to help them build a brighter future.
To ensure homeless migrant youth feel seen, we provide culturally sensitive services and resources such as prayer rugs for them to take or keep onsite for their use and incorporate culturally diverse dishes into the meals we serve. We engage young new arrivals who speak English to co-facilitate groups on topics such as sexual health and substance abuse.
How You Can Help New Arrivals and Migrants in New York City
Safe Horizon remains committed to supporting new arrivals, ensuring that they feel welcomed, supported, and empowered as they navigate their new lives. As the need for help skyrockets, please consider supporting our work with young new arrivals across the city.
Donate to Support Safe Horizon Services
It’s critical that we show up to provide support and resources for new arrivals to help them feel safe in their new environment. Support New York City’s new arrivals, migrants, and young people by donating today. Your contribution provides critical resources to those in need.
Sexual assault survivors are entitled to specific rights designed to support them through one of the most traumatic experiences in their lives. These rights include the choice to speak to law enforcement and to seek help at a hospital. The New York State Sexual Assault Victims Bill of Rights was created to help support survivors as they decide which steps to take next on their path to healing.
Learn more about New York State’s Sexual Assault Victims Bill of Rights below.
For a full listing of what the rights are covered under this legislation, click here.
To ensure sexual assault survivors understand their rights under the NYS Sexual Assault Victims Bill of Rights, Safe Horizon experts have created these videos in multiple languages. If you need more immediate assistance, call our sexual assault hotlines at 212-227-3000. In an emergency, call 911.
Financial abuse is often left out of the conversation around domestic violence, yet it has a tremendous impact on survivors. Financial abuse is a leading reason why survivors stay with or go back to their abuser. Because financial abuse isn’t openly discussed, we created this blog to help domestic violence survivors know the signs of financial abuse and how they can get help.
Financial abuse includes any action taken to control or restrict a survivor’s access to money or financial resources. In a financially abusive situation, the abuser often uses threats of violence, force, and manipulation to pressure a survivor into making financial decisions that harm them. Economic abuse may have lasting effects on one’s financial security, and the recovery takes time. In the short term, it may be hard to house, feed, or financially care for yourself and/or your children.
Financial Abuse Sign 1: Hiding, Withholding, Controlling Money and Assets
Does your partner hide or conceal money that you rely on for your basic needs such as food, medicine, transportation, or clothing? They may give you only a limited amount of money to survive so you can barely survive. It doesn’t matter if the money is yours or theirs – if they are withholding it for the sole purpose of controlling you, it is a sign of financial abuse. Other examples include hiding financial documents or personal documents like a green card or social security card.
Financial Abuse Sign 2: Interfering With Your Job or Sabotaging Ability to Work
Financial abuse doesn’t only have to do directly with money but can be related to how you make a living. It’s financially abusive for a partner to threaten or forbid you from working. They can also sabotage your current job by making it harder to get to or making threatening scenes at the job. If you want to work, anything a partner does to prevent you from working is done to control you and is considered financial abuse.
Financial Abuse Sign 3: Using Your Identity to Make Major Financial Decisions
If your partner opens credit cards or assigns utility bills in your name and/or your children’s name, they may be using your identity to financially abuse you. They may coerce you to lease or buy a car in your name, or any major financial asset that creates debt. They often have no intention of paying, which will create debt. Credit card debt can ruin your financial credit and prevent you from being financially independent and it will be more likely that you have to stay in the relationship to survive.
Help and Resources For survivors of Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is a tactic of control. Here are some financial safety tips to take back charge of your finances:
Heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, red roses, and candlelit dinners are all things that we associate with Valentine’s Day. But for many survivors of domestic violence, Valentine’s Day can evoke less than celebratory feelings.
This Valentine’s Day, let’s remember to celebrate the act of building a healthy relationship:
1. Set and Communicate Boundaries
Setting boundaries helps create a safe and respectful environment where both partners feel comfortable and valued. Decide what you find acceptable and unacceptable behavior within a relationship and communicate this to your partner. At the same time, respect your partner’s boundaries and talk openly about your needs and expectations. For example, if your partner criticizes your family member, and it makes you uncomfortable, it’s within your right to ask them to stop. They should respect your boundary. If you do not feel comfortable setting boundaries with your partner, reflect and meditate on why this is, as there may be a power imbalance to consider.
2. Prioritize Self-Care
Setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care go hand-in-hand. In many relationships, it can become challenging to maintain a sense of individuality separate from the partnership. As a result, it can be hard to see yourself beyond the two of you as a couple. Practicing self-care is unique to you. It can be any activity that promotes your physical, mental, and emotional self. It can be as simple as setting aside alone time, being with your friends without your partner, or any private time where you feel most comfortable. If you find it difficult to practice self-care within a relationship, it’s possible that your partner is trying to isolate you to be dependent on them. And this can give them power over the relationship, and you. 3 Understand How to Handle Disagreements and Conflict
3. Understand How to Handle Disagreements and Conflict
In every relationship, it is normal for there to be issues that lead to disagreements and conflict. However, what is important is how the couple treats each other during the disagreement, how it’s solved, and what happens next. It can be a one-time discussion or a series of conversations. If you hesitate to raise an issue because you’re scared or worried of your partner’s reaction, it might be a sign of abuse. Insulting or belittling behavior during conflict is a form of emotional abuse and is not a healthy way to solve an issue. Your partner should never make you feel afraid to express yourself.
4. Recognize Signs of Abuse
Relationships are unique and can also be complex, but they should never create harm. If it feels impossible for you to use any of these tips, it is important question the relationship and what is keeping it together. Signs of abuse can vary from person to person, but are generally physical, emotional, psychological, and financial. They can include the threat or act of physical violence, being forced or pressured into unwanted situations or actions, and limiting or cutting off relationships because of harmful threats. If you recognize one sign, it is possible that there may be more. For a more detailed list of signs of abuse, visit safehorizon.org/dv.
5. Seek Support
If you are struggling in your relationship or have experienced abuse or trauma, it is important to seek support from trusted sources. Reach out to friends, family members, or professionals who can provide guidance and assistance. Remember that you are not alone, and there are resources available to help you navigate difficult situations. For over 45 years, Safe Horizon has been helping survivors in New York City move from crisis to confidence. We offer crisis counseling, emotional support, assistance with finding Domestic Violence Shelters, and much more.
By Sebastien Vante
November 30, 2023
At the heart of Streetwork Project, Safe Horizon’s program for youth experiencing homelessness, is an inclusive community that values relationships between survivors and staff. For many of the young individuals who seek our assistance, working with a dedicated Streetwork counselor marks their first experience of a healthy, trusting relationship with an adult – one that is consistent and attentive to their unique needs. These connections create an environment where our clients feel safe and truly seen.
Recently, a growing number of migrant youth have been coming to our drop-in centers and crisis shelters for help. Many are fleeing persecution from West African countries and come to the states seeking asylum. We wanted to make sure that Streetwork felt like a safe and welcoming space for them.
We enlisted the assistance of translators to help us communicate with those who do not speak English, and soon realized that many were in need of prayer rugs. We ordered rugs for them to take and a few to keep onsite for when they dropped in. We connected many of the young people to resources such as ESL classes and other schooling. And for our annual fall harvest celebration meal, our chef prepared West African dishes including lamb and stews.
We are so proud to have a team that is dedicated to finding thoughtful ways to ensure that all young people feel acknowledged and welcomed within our space. To learn more about Streetwork Project, click here.
To contribute to Streetwork and Safe Horizon’s thriving community as a donor, click here.
November 8, 2023
By Jimmy Meagher
Earlier this week, I joined our CEO Liz Roberts and our Vice President of Government Affairs Michael Polenberg in Albany to advocate for Safe Horizon’s 2024 budget priorities. Although we are hearing that next year’s budget may be tight, our message to Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration is that victims and survivors will have no place to turn if programs aren’t fully funded. Our community of victim services providers simply cannot sustain continued flat funding or, even worse, budget cuts to our programs. Budgets are values statements. They demonstrate the priorities of our elected leaders. Albany must make up for decades of underinvestment in the victim services sector and prioritize funding for programs like our Child Advocacy Centers, Domestic Violence Law Project, Community Programs, and so many others that rely on federal and state dollars to keep our doors open. The most important way Albany can do right by our community of providers and the survivors we help is to make up for shortfalls in federal VOCA funding in next year’s budget.
Victim services providers and antiviolence organizations across the country rely on many different federal funding streams to support and sustain our programs and services. One of the main funding sources that the sector relies on is the Victims of Crime Act, or VOCA. As part of VOCA, which became law in 1984, the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) was created as a non-taxpayer source of funding that supports the annual appropriation of funds for victim services. Today, VOCA funds nearly 6,500 victim services organizations across the country.
Several years ago, deposits into the CVF began to significantly decline, forcing Congress to decrease the amount of funding released for VOCA. In large part due to our collective advocacy, Congress passed the VOCA Fix Act in 2021, and President Biden signed it into law. This law directs deposits from deferred prosecutions and non-prosecution agreements to the CVF. Although the VOCA Fix Act has helped, it has not led to an increase in deposits at the rate we need it to. Because deposits into the CVF are still lower than they were at their peak, VOCA continues to face cuts, which will ultimately lead to programs laying off staff, reducing services, or closing.
We are at a crisis point that requires both federal action and state action. In New York, our federal VOCA grant has declined $121.6 million in the past five years. The NYS Office of Victim Services (OVS) is currently warning sub-grantees that it may not have the funding to fully cover the final year of our current 3-year contracts. While we advocate for a more permanent, sustainable federal solution, New York State must invest state revenues to make up for the VOCA shortfall. Other states, including Texas and Arizona, have found the necessary resources to keep critical victim services programs afloat, and we urge Governor Hochul to do the same in New York.
In budget after budget, the Governor and legislature rightly focus on how to create and promote safe communities throughout the state. But public safety is not solely about law enforcement and the mechanics of criminal court proceedings; public safety is about housing, economic security, access to healing, and so much more. The sustainability of the victim services and antiviolence sector is an issue of public safety. Our programs provide the supports and assistance survivors need. Our programs provide shelter, food, immediate financial support, and other essential safety needs. And our programs help survivors, their families, and their communities find healing. Albany must recognize this and use state revenues to support survivors and the safety net that organizations like ours provide.
On November 7, 2023, the United States Supreme Court will hear United States vs. Rahimi. This critical case will determine whether persons charged with domestic violence offenses may be permitted to retain ownership of firearms. If the court decides in favor of Rahimi, it will immediately affect the safety and well-being of domestic violence survivors and their families in New York, and across the country.
This case rests on a challenge made by Mr. Rahimi. As per the ACLU website, Mr. Rahimi was convicted of possessing a gun while subject to a domestic violence protective order, issued after he violently assaulted his domestic partner in a parking lot and shot a gun when he noticed that others had witnessed his abuse. Mr. Rahimi challenged the law as a violation of the Second Amendment right to bear arms (Source: https://www.aclu.org/cases/united-states-v-rahimi)
As part of Safe Horizon’s advocacy for survivor-informed legislation, we hosted two roundtable discussions regarding this case in partnership with New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, Commissioner Cecile Noel of the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV), Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, and Safe Horizon staff and clients. The roundtable discussions brought domestic violence survivors’ voices to the public conversation and drew attention to our deep concern about the potential upending of current protections for domestic violence survivors from gun violence and how it will put the safety of survivors at risk. You can find a recording on our Instagram.
At one of the roundtables, Liz Roberts, Safe Horizon CEO, said that “The stakes could not be any higher: will the United States Supreme Court vote to allow domestic violence offenders and other persons who have been served protective orders to own or possess a firearm, or will they vote to ensure safety for survivors?” and a Safe Horizon client, a survivor of gun violence herself, remarked that “If this decision is overturned where people who cause harm can have guns, our future, our children’s future, will be affected.”
These quotes highlight the reality that this Supreme Court case will quite literally mean life and death.
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, abusers with firearms are five times more likely to kill their victims. Moreover, Everytown reports that an average of 70 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner each month (Source: everytownresearch.org/domestic-violence).
We urge you to join us in calling for the Supreme Court to prioritize the safety of domestic violence survivors! To help spread the message of the impact this case might have, you can find a series of graphics on our social media – we invite you to share with your networks.
Hop on any of New York City’s many public transportation options and you’re bound to see or hear a message from the MTA advising us, “if you see something, say something.” That may be true in many situations, but for something as complex as domestic violence, there is no “one size fits all” way to help.
If you think a friend, loved one, or someone you know might be involved in an abusive relationship, it’s natural to want to help. However, you will want to ensure that you don’t make the situation more dangerous for them. Here are some tips to do so:
Recognize the Signs of Domestic Violence
Too often, we associate domestic violence with the cliché image of a woman with a black eye. The truth is that domestic violence is different for every person who experiences it. Only now is our society beginning to understand and accept the nuances of domestic violence, including who experiences it and why.
Signs of domestic violence can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial and can happen to anyone of any gender identity. The signs can include the threat or act of physical violence, being forced or pressured into unwanted situations or actions, and limiting or cutting off relationships because of harmful threats. If you recognize one sign, it is possible that there may be more behind closed doors. For a more detailed list of signs of abuse, visit safehorizon.org/dv
Learn About Language You Can Use
Familiarize yourself with objective and non-judgmental language, and emulate the language that survivors are using to describe themselves. Using “I” statements can help the person feel less blamed or attacked.
For example, “I noticed your partner has been calling you names. I’m concerned about that. Is everything okay?” Avoid saying that they “need to,” “have to,” and “should” as this language can make them feel judged – the exact opposite of your intention.
Understand and practice this safe language. Then, prepare to use this language in your conversation(s) with the survivor.
Prepare to Listen and Not Judge
There is no way to predict how the survivor will respond to your inquiry. It is entirely possible that they believe they are not in an abusive relationship. They can decide not to continue the conversation and may even become offended by your suggestion. Prepare for any pushback by accepting that survivors are the experts in their own lives. Respond by letting them know that you are there for them if they ever want to discuss this topic again and offer them resources that could be helpful in the event that they want to seek help outside of your conversation. We’ve included some resources at the end of this piece.
If the survivor opens up about their relationship, they may share explicit or shocking content. This can trigger you and cause you to make judgmental statements. They could then regret confiding in you and make them become closer to their abusive partner.
When in doubt, validate what they are saying and how they are feeling, refrain from sharing unless you are asked, and refer back to listening and using non-judgmental language
Create a Plan
Once you understand the signs of abuse and practice helpful language, you can create a strategy to speak to the survivor while keeping them safe. Before initiating a conversation, it’s critical to identify a time and place that is safe for them to speak. It should be a time when the person is physically away from their partner or anyone else who could overhear and potentially compromise their safety.
It could be helpful if you get to know the survivor and their partner’s schedules and ask questions around their availability. Investing the time into identifying a safe time and place will help ensure their safety. If the abusive partner becomes aware of what is going on, it could endanger the survivor, so it’s important to make a careful plan.
Let Them Know That Help is Available
There are many resources available for bystanders and survivors. For over 45 years, Safe Horizon has been helping survivors in New York City move from crisis to confidence. We offer crisis counseling, emotional support, assistance with finding Domestic Violence Shelters, and much more.
The Adult Survivors Act (ASA) is legislation that creates a special one-year look-back window to allow individuals who were 18 or older when they were sexually assaulted in New York State to file a lawsuit against the person who harmed them and/or the negligent institution.
We want every survivor to know about this new law. Help us let survivors know their rights by sharing this page and/or the graphics on this page on social media or with your friends. For more information, you can check the official ASA page here and share that as well.
Together we can help survivors find justice.
What To Share
Sample Social Media Messages
We understand folks might not be on ALL social media platforms, but we made sure our assets are optimized for each platform. We have images that will perfectly fit on Facebook* & Instagram stories, reels, Twitter*, and traditional Instagram posts*. You can check the links for directions on how to post to each platform.
Hashtags: #AdultSurvivorsAct | #ASA | #TraumaTakesTime
Don’t forget to tag us in all your posts. Our handle is the same across all platforms @SafeHorizon
#supportsurvivors
October 2022
The facts and stats around domestic violence and gun violence are clear: When someone who is abusive has access to a gun, victims and their children are in serious and immediate danger.
That’s why we are shining a light on the intersection between gun violence and domestic violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Please read this blog post to learn how guns dramatically increase the risk of homicide for victims of domestic abuse, how the threat of gun violence impacts children, why guns in the home go underreported, and critically, how survivors can get help.
People causing harm do many things to control domestic violence survivors and anyone involved in the abusive relationship. Guns are a serious threat on their own and when an abuser has access to a gun, domestic violence survivors are at much greater risk. According to the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) July 2003 via Everytown, domestic violence victims are five times more likely to be killed when guns are in reach.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics data compiled by Everytown: The Impact of Gun Violence on Children and Teens, guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens. Nearly 3 in 4 children and teens killed in mass shootings died in an incident connected to domestic violence. (Everytown: Mass Shootings in America)
Gun violence does not have to be fatal to cause harm. Children living in homes where domestic violence is present are exposed to, or experience, higher rates of physical and sexual assault. (DOJ, OJP)
Guns put survivors’ lives in more danger.
Survivors experience psychological terror when threatened with a gun. The person causing harm can threaten to shoot the survivor, a pet, or a person the victim cares about. In addition, they could clean, hold, or load a gun or even fire the gun during an argument.
When domestic violence escalates because of gun violence, children can suffer the most.
Children who see their parent killed with a gun suffer severe PTSD, behavioral problems, and suicidal thoughts. Child trauma from witnessing a parent killed often follows children into adulthood. (Journal of Family Issues)
Guns in the home make domestic violence survivors afraid for their lives, even if the person abusing them isn’t home. That fear, and the trauma it causes, can last for years, even after a survivor is physically safe.
Sometimes they have access to a gun because they are or were previously employed by law enforcement. Other survivors have had negative experiences with the justice system and simply don’t believe that reporting that their partner has a gun will help them.
Safe Horizon can support domestic violence survivors who have been threatened with or experienced gun violence. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you’re looking for long-term support or connections to resources, call our 24/7 hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE (4673).