Need help? Call our 24-hour hotline (llámenos para ayudarle) 1-800-621-HOPE (4673). If you are in immediate danger, call 911. ↓
Statement from Safe Horizon CEO Liz Roberts on Mayor Adams’ plans to dramatically cut $3M in city funding to Safe Horizon’s precinct-based Crime Victim Assistance Program.
April 24, 2024
“At a time when New Yorkers are deeply concerned about their safety on the subway, in the streets, and in their own homes, Mayor Adams plans to dramatically cut $3M in city funding to Safe Horizon’s precinct-based Crime Victim Assistance Program. This ill-advised cut means 11,000 New Yorkers will not receive critical, and often lifesaving, services following a crime. If Mayor Adams really cares about public safety, he will reinstate this funding so that Safe Horizon can continue to provide services that restore safety, promote healing, and ultimately prevent further crime.”
Join us in telling Mayor Adams:
Public safety = survivor support
Restore CVAP funding NOW!
The NYPD saw far fewer domestic violence complaints citywide last year compared to 2019′s totals, according to department data published this month.
However, experts said the actual climate of domestic violence during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a more complex picture.
Victims were forced inside with their abusers throughout much of 2020, advocates have said, and conditions caused by the pandemic — ranging from fiscal security to health concerns — could have made calling police for instances of domestic violence a non-option.
“People weren’t reaching out to the police for a variety of reasons, primarily because the abusive partner was often in the home and it felt very unsafe for police to respond,” said Kimberlina Kavern, the senior director of the Crime Victim Assistance Program at Safe Horizon — which operates within the borough’s Family Justice Center (FJC). “And if police were called and the responders stayed in the home, once the police left, the victim might be in more danger because of having called the police.”
The NYPD’s 2020 annual local law 38 report showed that the department logged 79,200 domestic violence complaints citywide in 2020, compared to 87,512 instances in 2019 — nearly a 10% decrease.
On Staten Island, every precinct but the NYPD’s 123rd Precinct on the South Shore saw a reduction in domestic violence complaints. Most stark was a more-than-21% decrease in the borough’s 120th Precinct, based in St. George — where overall complaints dropped from 1,838 in 2019 to 1,442 in 2020.
The number of chronic domestic violence offenders, which are labeled by the NYPD as individuals who have been arrested for a domestic violence-related offense three times within an 18-month span, also decreased heavily — falling more than 32% on Staten Island.
And chronic domestic violence complaints on Staten Island, which totaled 129 in 2019, fell to just 65 in 2020, the NYPD data showed. Those incidents are labeled by the department as crimes involving chronic offenders.
CHALLENGES EXACERBATED BY PANDEMIC
The pandemic exacerbated challenges domestic violence victims face outside of abuse, said Kavern, and those factors, including lack of housing stability and food security, are part of the holistic approach that she said advocates aim to address.
“If you’re worried about where your family is going to sleep tonight, you might not be as worried about the violence happening in your home,” said Kavern. “So, we really want to let people know that we’re here to try to meet all of their needs.”
At Safe Horizon, Kavern said a fluctuation of people using the organization’s services was observed throughout the past 16 months, with calls to its hotline increasing at the start of the outbreak before leveling off.
In March 2020, Safe Horizon’s 24-hour domestic violence hotline (800-621-4673) had stable numbers before calls peaked in the spring and summer, according to the organization’s data. June 2020 had 50% more calls compared to the previous year.
Since then, Safe Horizon has seen a steady decrease in calls as more options for safety planning open up. However, this past March’s calls still remained 42% higher than the same span in 2020 — when the pandemic was just beginning to take hold on New York.
COVID EFFECTS
While New York City has seen vast improvement concerning the coronavirus throughout the five boroughs, the battle against its lingering effects are likely just beginning.
Studies have shown that the delayed psychological effects of quarantine could be lingering for many. DeCarli said the agency’s services include a mental health therapist and a psychologist at each of the city’s FJCs.
“Staff has definitely told me that over the past 16 months they’ve had a lot of clients who, prior to the pandemic, they would say they were stable … and they have seen that some of those clients have reached out for help because the pandemic has triggered a lot of things for them and added more trauma and stress,” said DeCarli. “So, we definitely have seen an increased need for mental health services.”
District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, whose office has distributed resources for survivors of domestic violence throughout the pandemic and worked closely with the Mayor’s Office to ENDGBV, said he is “gravely concerned that the COVID pandemic has worsened the situation yet suppressed the outreach for help of many sufferers of domestic violence.”
McMahon said his office’s Domestic Violence Bureau will continue to work closely with the NYPD, the FJC, the Mayor’s Office to ENDGBV and Safe Horizon to address survivors’ needs.
“Victims of domestic violence should know they can always access the services offered through the FJC, my office, and other agencies regardless of their decision to move forward with the criminal prosecution of a case,” said McMahon. “We cannot stress enough the importance of having these critical resources available to victims, and we encourage anyone facing a domestic violence situation to contact my office or the FJC at any time; my office and our partners remain committed to doing the difficult work to ensure victims always have a place to turn.”
The Villager
By Gabe Herman
September 20, 2019
The New York Police Department announced earlier this month that it has opened a new Manhattan Special Victims facility in Lower Manhattan, which focuses on accommodating survivors throughout the investigative process.
The new, renovated facility at 137 Centre St., near White Street, includes a child-friendly waiting area, comfortable furniture designed for victims, and aesthetic upgrades such as art, plants and welcoming signage.
Renovations for another floor of the building are currently in the design stage, and will have include space for the District Attorney’s office and for abuse survivors, including interview rooms and waiting rooms.
There is also now an advocate on-site from Safe Horizon, a citywide nonprofit that provides social services for victims of abuse and violent crime. Safe Horizon advocates also started working in the Bronx Special Victim Division in September. And the District Attorney is expected to move into the Manhattan facility by the end of this year.
“My mission has been to create a victim-centered approach to sexual assault investigations from the survivor’s first encounter with the police, and at each step through the investigation,” said Deputy Chief Judith Harrison, commanding officer of the Special Victims Division. “We have added investigators, ensured the highest quality trauma-informed, empathy-based training and a critical part of this work is creating welcoming facilities designed with the survivor in mind.”
“Our renovated Special Victims Division facilities don’t look like traditional police offices. There are comfortable couches and play areas for children, natural light and art on the walls,” Harrison added. “This wraparound approach matters for survivors’ well-being and we are committed to doing anything and everything to bring justice to the brave survivors that come forward.”
“We are proud to partner with the NYPD and its Special Victims Division to help survivors feel safe, comfortable and supported during a time when they may feel their most vulnerable,” said Ariel Zwang, CEO of Safe Horizon. “We applaud SVD for taking a trauma-informed and client-centered approach to redesigning their space and the presence of our advocates will support survivors as they seek justice and healing.”
Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. said of the new facility, “With police, prosecutors, advocates, and service providers working together under one roof to help survivors report crimes, secure justice, and heal trauma, these facilities exemplify our shared commitment to victim-centered law enforcement.”
Upgrades were also announced to the Special Victims Division facilities in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island. And the N.Y.P.D. noted that the division has had increased staffing since April 2018. The average caseload for a detective is now 61.1, down from 76.5 at the end of 2017.
There has also been enhanced training for those in the division, including trauma-informed, empathy-based training for investigators. And every police officer has gotten mandatory training about ensuring they are victim-centered when responding to a sex crime.
Sex crimes can be reported at any police facility and to any police officer, the N.Y.P.D. noted, and people can call 911 or the N.Y.P.D.’s 24-hour rape hotline at 212-267-RAPE (7273).
Read the original article here.
QNS Advertising
By Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez, commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging
August 1, 2019
New Yorkers of all ages should feel safe in the communities they helped build over the years. That’s why I will be joining the New York City Department for the Aging’s Outreach Team along with the NYPD as we distribute informational materials across the City for National Night Out Against Crime on Aug. 6.
Every day, our Elderly Crime Victims Resource Center supports and guides victims as they seek compensation for out-of-pocket expenses and as they interact with law enforcement, local courts, mental health professionals and others. In each borough, we partner with community-based providers to deliver services close to home in many languages.
Through the ThriveNYC mental health initiative, the City of New York has also created the Crime Victim Assistance Program with the NYPD and Safe Horizon, which places an advocate in every precinct to better assist victims.
Walking on a street alone, taking the subway or sitting in the privacy of one’s home is what New Yorkers do every day. Yet we increasingly hear about older adults being victimized during these daily life activities. They are being targeted for assault, robbery, financial scams or neglect by people they may or may not know. These crimes are unacceptable and outrageous.
We are all aging! As a society, we need to own that fact. We must protect and respect the rights of generations that have come before us, not allow them to be treated as prey.
If you are an older crime victim or know an older victim, please contact our Elderly Crime Victims Resource Center at 212-442-3103 or call 311 for more information.
Read the original article here.
Partnership with Safe Horizon helps crime victims navigate justice system.
Contact: pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov, (212) 788-2958
August 22, 2018 (BROOKLYN, NY) — First Lady Chirlane McCray and New York Police Department announced that the police department will provide more crime victims with the support and resources needed to recover from the trauma of experiencing a crime. The NYPD is expanding the Crime Victims Assistance Program (CVAP) to all of the city’s 77 precincts and nine Police Service Areas (PSA), making it the first police department in the country to make such a service available to crime victims citywide.
CVAP is a free and confidential program that pairs crime victims with trained advocates who help mitigate post-event trauma by discussing their safety concerns, legal rights, and ways to navigate the criminal justice system in a meaningful way. NYPD coordinates with Safe Horizon, the largest non-profit services agency in the United States, to provide crime victims with a number of resources, including crisis intervention, access to counseling and support groups, emergency housing or relocation assistance, and information on other local services that can help them with crime-related needs.
“The pain and emotional vulnerability of being a victim of crime can linger long after the violence or violation has happened. In the safest big city in the country, we don’t want anyone to feel alone and without support,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray, who leads the City’s mental health and substance misuse efforts. “ThriveNYC is committed to ensuring all crime victims have access to mental health services. By expanding the Crime Victim Advocate Partnership to all 77 precincts and all nine Police Service Areas in NYC, any New Yorker who has been a victim of a crime will have access to the support they need.”
“This trailblazing program is the product of seamless collaboration with our partners at Safe Horizon, and New Yorkers’ willingness and ability to share responsibility for public safety,” said NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “It is an invaluable resource for every New York City neighborhood as police officers and victim advocates work together to keep residents safe, and ensure that they feel safe, too.”
“CVAP allows us as a city to reach people in great need at a very vulnerable time—immediately following a crime,” said Deputy Commissioner for Collaborative Policing Susan Herman. “We are so pleased that victim advocates are now in every precinct and PSA in the city, making it more convenient than ever before to help victims of crime rebuild their lives.”
Ensuring CVAP is available citywide supports a central goal of ThriveNYC, the roadmap championed by First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray that aims to help New Yorkers better navigate the city’s mental health services. A major public awareness campaign will roll out this fall to ensure the public is familiar with the services CVAP provides.
“In New York City no crime victim has to rebuild their life or navigate the system alone,” said ThriveNYC Executive Director Alexis Confer. “I applaud First Lady McCray for her leadership in bringing this program to all precincts and PSA’s. I also want to thank the crime victim’s advocates for the important work they do every day to support survivors of crime in our city.”
Since its launch in 2016, CVAP has helped thousands of New Yorkers feel safe and assisted in the aftermath of a crime. The program’s positive impact is clear: from the start of the program in July 2016 through July 31, 2018, CVAP advocates across the city have reviewed more than 500,000 police reports to help proactively identify victims who may be in need of their services. During that same time period, CVAP has interacted with approximately 70,000 individuals to make sure they are aware of their rights and options after being victimized by a crime, advocating for nearly 11,000 New Yorkers to help them navigate various services such as housing, mental health, public benefits, and the criminal justice system.
“The Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) makes key connections between victims and critical supports,” said Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence Cecile Noel. “For victims of intimate partner violence, in particular, these supports are vital to addressing safety concerns, navigating the criminal justice process, and connecting to other support services and resources. We applaud this important and successful partnership between law enforcement and social services.”
CVAP is part of the Department’s broader commitment to drive down crime and strengthen ties to local communities through innovative neighborhood policing. That same commitment made July 2018 the safest on record in New York City and places the department on track to finish 2018 under a total of 100,000 index crimes, which would be only the second time the NYPD has reached this milestone in the CompStat-era.
“No one deserves to be a victim of violence, crime, or abuse. But when crime happens, it matters that a Safe Horizon CVAP Advocate is there to follow-up and help them. I am proud of CVAP advocates for helping victims in their time of greatest need, delivering services every day that are timely, client-centered and trauma-informed,” said Safe Horizon CEO Ariel Zwang. “Now, anyone who has experienced a crime can go into any NYPD precinct or Police Service Area to speak with an advocate who can help with safety planning, address practical needs, and begin the healing process. I am grateful to First Lady Chirlane McCray, Police Commissioner James O’ Neill, and Deputy Commissioner for Collaborative Policing Susan Herman for launching this remarkable program.”
To find nearest NYPD precinct or Police Service Area for CVAP services, click here.
Safe Horizon is the largest non-profit victim services agency in the United States. We touch the lives of more than 250,000 children, adults, and families affected by crime and abuse throughout New York City each year. We provide compassionate and expert support for people who have experienced: Domestic and intimate partner violence, Child physical and sexual abuse, Rape and sexual assault, Human trafficking, Stalking, Youth homelessness, Violent crimes committed against a family member and within communities. Safe Horizon partners with governmental and other community agencies and also advocates for policies on a local, state, and national level on behalf of those affected by violence and abuse.
December 13, 2017
At noon, Javier begins his shift at the 47th police precinct in the north Bronx. He starts by sorting Domestic Incident Reports (DIRs) – he reviews about 45 of them a day. These reports document the details of a domestic violence incident that the police have responded to. He calls each client, identifying himself as a domestic violence advocate from the Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP). CVAP is a cornerstone of New York City’s efforts to improve its response to victims of crime. Implemented by the NYPD and Safe Horizon, and supported by the Mayor’s Office of ThriveNYC, and available in precincts and Housing Police Service Areas citywide, the program has dedicated victim advocates for survivors of domestic violence and additional advocates for victims of every other category of crime. CVAP provides supportive counseling, connections to individual or group therapy, and help to navigate the legal and financial challenges that can emerge after a crime has occurred. Two advocates are stationed in each precinct; advocates that assist victims of various crime and advocates like Javier who are solely dedicated to helping survivors of domestic violence.
“Sometimes people aren’t able to speak with officers because they may feel intimidated,” Javier explains. “CVAP gives crime victims the chance to speak with advocates like me. Advocates can be a voice and are able to link them to services at the onset of the incident. With CVAP, you have someone calling you after an arrest to check in with you.”
Javier first started as a clerical intern at Safe Horizon’s Bronx Criminal Court program. Since he is bilingual in English and Spanish, Javier was also able to help Case Managers communicate with Spanish-speaking clients. The internship sparked his passion, “it’s something I can’t explain to this day, but something drew me in. By July I knew I wanted to work here past my internship.” Javier worked his way to become a Case Manager and was able to guide clients from crisis to confidence.
“By no means is this job easy, but it’s gratifying to help victims of abuse. I help empower them to do what they need to get better and guide them to the resources they need. From the courts to the precincts, they left knowing that someone was there to listen to them outside of the criminal justice realm. That’s what’s has kept me here for 5 years.”
Javier is extremely careful to practice safety precautions when contacting a victim of domestic violence. Since domestic violence is about power and control, the abuser is often close-by and monitoring their behavior.
“When I call a domestic violence victim, I ask if they are safe to speak at this time. If they are, we talk about the status of the incident and any arrest updates. If the domestic violence victim is not safe to speak, I try to give them my information so they can call me back. If there’s any sign that the abuser is near, I ask them to hang up. Sometimes they call back and if they don’t, I reach out to them again the next day.”
Javier says helping domestic violence victims differs from helping other crime victims because there is an emotional aspect behind the crime. “You have to consider that the other party is someone close to the victim. You have to understand that they care about that person. You have to put your own ideas aside because when they leave your office, you don’t know how what you said could affect them, possibly in a negative way.”
The other side of being an advocate entails working with law enforcement officials. That’s when his previous experience being a case manager at Bronx Criminal Court program comes in handy. “While working at the court program I used to talk to clients 1-on-1 which helped me become comfortable advocating on their behalf within the criminal justice system.”
Javier is proud to be part of this groundbreaking citywide program that unites law enforcement and victim advocacy to help victims of crime and abuse obtain justice and peace. He encourages survivors who face challenges such as immigration status, language barriers, or their gender identity to reach out for help. Javier is here to say all are welcome. “Because you’re an immigrant doesn’t make a difference. Whether blue, yellow, pink, immigrant or U.S. Citizen, it doesn’t matter, we will help you.”
CVAP advocates are currently in all NYPD precincts. Visit our CVAP page for more information.
December 6, 2016
In September 2016, Safe Horizon, together with the New York City Police Department (NYPD), launched the Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP). CVAP was modeled after our Domestic Violence Police Program (DVPP); a 30-year partnership with the NYPD that placed Advocates specializing in helping domestic violence victims alongside police officers. The Crime Victim Assistance Program has expanded DVPP services by providing two compassionate Advocates who explain and help all crime victims navigate the criminal justice process; address safety concerns; explore options; and connect to other services.
The pioneering leadership responsible for this groundbreaking collaboration have over fifty years of combined experience working directly with victims as well as law enforcement. We are proud to introduce the Crime Victim Assistance Program team whose expertise has shaped the development of the program:
“I started my career in 1987 as an Advocate working in the 52nd precinct–one of the first three DVPP precincts–and led its expansion over the next 30 years. DVPP was, and continues to be through CVAP, a game changer in victim services. No other program has impacted the landscape of victim services and police response as this program has over the years–not only impacting victims’ lives directly, but laws and policies that impact thousands of victims citywide. To see DVPP go citywide through CVAP, and place a second advocate working with all victims of crime, is truly a dream come true for me. THANK YOU to all the DVPP Advocates, police officers and supervisors who paved the way to make CVAP a reality!”
Maureen Curtis is responsible for developing and overseeing Safe Horizon’s Criminal Justice Programs with a staff of more than 150 in 40 locations city-wide and a budget of ten million dollars. She has worked for more than 30 years in the field of victimization and has extensive knowledge of victims’ rights within the criminal justice and housing systems. Her work with senior level staff in the NYPD and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has led to changes in policies that impact victims citywide. Maureen has designed and provided training for law enforcement and community members on the topics of victim safety, offender accountability, housing options, and the criminal justice response to domestic violence. Maureen also helped victims of the September 11th attacks by providing trauma-informed, supportive services and help with navigating various government systems.
Maureen has been instrumental in creating and introducing a new practice for Safe Horizon staff in their work with clients. She has led the training for supervisors in implementing client-centered-practice and continues to provide support and guidance to help staff develop their skills and enhance their knowledge. Maureen also worked for the Safe Horizon Domestic Violence Accountability Program (DVAP) as a facilitator and program supervisor. She participates in various committees and sits on the Monroe College Criminal Justice Advisory Board. Maureen is a licensed social worker and also holds a Master’s in Public Health.
“As a former special victims prosecutor, I learned first-hand that no single entity – police, prosecutors, advocates – could do this work alone. CVAP is a large scale partnership between the largest not-for-profit victim services agency in the country and the largest police department in the country. By working together with NYPD, CVAP will provide a model for other cities and locales to replicate. CVAP will break down barriers and pave the way for victims and their children to truly become survivors, and as the First Lady of NYC, Chirlane McCray said, “thrivers”. I am proud to be embarking on this journey!”
Wanda Lucibello, Esq., worked at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office since 1981. Before joining Safe Horizon, Wanda was the chief of the Special Victims Division that was comprised of the Domestic Violence Bureau, Victims Services Unit, and Elder Abuse Unit. In this role she managed and advised more than 100 professionals, including lawyers, paralegals and advocates.
Wanda’s extensive experience working with survivors enabled her to understand that victims needed more than just a criminal justice response. She was instrumental in the launch of the Brooklyn Family Justice Center in 2005; the development of the Brooklyn Early Victim Engagement (EVE) program; and the management of the Domestic Violence Homicide Prevention Initiative. In each of these efforts, Wanda has worked closely with Safe Horizon staff and other non-profit partners to promote effective, interdisciplinary responses to the needs of survivors, and she is widely known for her collaborative and victim-centered approach. Now she is part of leading the Crime Victim Assistance Program, which will bring these critical services to survivors of violence.
“I have spent over ten years at Safe Horizon working within the criminal justice system, both in precincts and in court settings. I am a firm believer that victims of crime are best served when the criminal justice response is partnered closely with victim services. Through CVAP, Safe Horizon will be able to reach more victims and provide individualized, client-centered services to enhance their safety.”
Kimberlina Kavern has worked at Safe Horizon for ten years in increasingly responsible roles. She began her career as a case manager in the Domestic Violence Police Program (DVPP) 120th precinct; served as senior case manager in the Staten Island Integrated Domestic Violence Court; became the director of the Staten Island Court Programs; and has also worked as the Safe Horizon chief of staff. She most recently held the position of director for the Bronx Family Court Program, supervising a staff of seven and managing the Reception Center, Children’s Center and Supervised Visitation Program.
Kim is a certified rape survivor advocate and a mediator and mentor with the New York Peace Institute. She has co-chaired several committees, including the Safe Horizon Vicarious Trauma work group. Kim speaks and provides trainings on topics including intimate partner violence, housing, the criminal justice system, sexual assault, and child abuse. She was the trainer for both court clerks and advocate groups statewide on the new Family Court Online Advocate Assisted Family Offense Petition Program, which piloted in Bronx Family Court in March 2013. Kim’s experience working directly with survivors of violence in a law enforcement setting enables her to provide significant leadership in expanding services to victims of violence.
The Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) assigns two specially-trained Advocates to precincts throughout the five boroughs of New York City. One advocate is devoted solely to helping victims of domestic violence while the other advocate offers assistance to individuals who have been victims of any other offense including robbery, assault, identity theft, trafficking, and harassment.
These specially-trained Advocates will review police reports and reach out to victims to offer assistance; meet with victims who come to the precinct looking for help; and conduct home visits with police officers. The Advocates have a general understanding of all victimizations; an understanding of trauma and its impact on victims; knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence and other specialized crimes; and knowledge of options and available resources. They are skilled in helping victims navigate the criminal justice system and addressing any barriers that victims may face in accessing services. This approach of providing an immediate response after a crime has occurred can help to mitigate the trauma a victim may have experienced, leading to a quicker recovery.
CVAP is a cornerstone of New York City’s efforts to improve its response to victims of crime. Implemented by the NYPD and Safe Horizon, and supported by the Mayor’s Office of ThriveNYC, CVAP provides supportive counseling, connections to individual or group therapy, and help to navigate the legal and financial challenges that can emerge after a crime has occurred.