Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes (R,C-Caledonia) joined Assemblyman Ed Flood (R,C-Port Jefferson) and state Sens. Anthony Palumbo (R,C-New Suffolk) and Dean Murray (R,C-3rd District) at a press conference to announce new legislation that would allow New York state to join an existing national alert program for missing persons. The bill is named after Gabby Petito, the 22-year-old Long Island native whose tragic disappearance and eventual murder captured the nation during the summer of 2021.

“Every year more than half a million people go missing in our country. I was shocked and disappointed to learn we have not already joined the existing national alert program for missing persons,” said Byrnes.

The assemblywoman, a former judge and prosecutor, stated, “I’ve seen too many cases of domestic violence where every minute is crucial in cases like these. Every tool must be available to law enforcement and the public to find missing domestic violence victims. This is why I joined with my colleagues to support this bill and create more awareness for victims like Gabby. This is a common-sense, non-partisan measure of public safety that Albany should enact for everyone’s benefit.”

Byrnes is signing on to sponsor the bill, which has the support of Gabby Petito’s family. Though they could not attend the press conference, they offered a statement saying, in part, “Any delay in reporting these cases through a streamlined alerting system has proven throughout history to have devasting results for the missing person and their families. The infrastructure for the alert already exists and only requires our lawmakers to approve such a necessary and vital system now and not delay it further.”

Regrettably, domestic violence is not uncommon, as one in four women will experience severe physical and/or sexual abuse by their intimate partner during their lifetime. This also applies to men who will experience this at a rate of one in nine. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, 20 people per minute are physically abused by their intimate partner in the U.S. and more than 20,000 phone calls are placed to the domestic violence hotlines.

Byrnes encourages anyone feeling fearful, threatened, or experiencing types of abuse in their relationship to seek help. There are free, confidential, professional resources available 24/7. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline day or night at (800) 799-7233. You can text for help by texting START to 88788. On their website, you can also chat with professionals in real-time (go to: www.thehotline.org). There is also a National Deaf Hotline Videophone open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling (855) 812-1001 or emailing deafhelp@thehotline.org.

New York state also offers a 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline. Please call (800) 942-6906 or 711 for those deaf or hard of hearing. You can text the state hotline at (844)- 977-2121 or chat online at http://opdv.ny.gov.chat.html.

Additionally, each county in New York state has designated domestic violence resource providers. These providers offer shelter and safe housing as well as telephone hotline assistance, information and resources, referrals, counseling, advocacy and other outreach services. In the 133rd Assembly District, please contact:

• Livingston County: Chances & Changes, Inc. (585) 658-2660 - Provides both residential and non-residential domestic violence services, OCFS licensed and approved.

• Monroe County: Lifespan – Elder Abuse Prevention Program (866) 454-5110 - Provides non-residential domestic violence services, OCFS licensed and approved. Saathi of Rochester (585) 234-1050 - offers South Asian-specific services. Willow Domestic Violence Center (Formerly Alternatives for Battered Women, Inc.) (585) 222-SAFE (7233) - Provides both residential and non-residential domestic violence services, OCFS licensed and approved.
• Ontario County: Family Counseling Services of the Finger Lakes (800) 695-0390 - Provides non-residential domestic violence services, OCFS licensed and approved. Safe Harbors of the Finger Lakes (800) 247-7273 - Provides non-residential domestic violence services, OCFS licensed and approved. Survivor Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes (formerly Victim Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, Inc.) (800) 456-1172 - Provides residential domestic violence services, OCFS licensed and approved.
• Steuben County: Arbor Housing & Development Domestic Violence Services (800) 286-3407 - Provides both residential and non-residential domestic violence services, OCFS licensed and approved.
• Wyoming County: RESTORE Sexual Assault Services (800) 527-1757 - Provides non-residential domestic violence services, OCFS licensed and approved.