Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter (D-Syracuse) announced that she passed a legislative package to help victims of domestic violence access vital resources and hold their abusers accountable so that they can begin a new chapter of their lives.

“No one should ever have to live in constant fear for their safety, especially within their own home,” said Hunter. “However, experiencing abuse at the hands of those closest to them is a terrifying reality for far too many New Yorkers. We will always be here for victims of domestic violence with help and support so that they feel safe and empowered enough to break free from their abusers.”

More than 10 million women and men in the United States face intimate partner violence each year.^[1] In many of these cases, the abuser has isolated the victim from family and friends and controls resources such as finances, communication or transportation.^[2] Trying to escape the situation is not as easy as simply leaving, and may even put a victim’s life at greater risk.^[3]

To ensure that contracts and leases don’t stand in the way of freedom, Hunter co-sponsored a measure streamlining the procedure for early lease termination by domestic violence survivors and prohibiting landlords from disclosing the termination of tenancy to future landlords (A.4267). The bill builds on Hunter’s ongoing efforts to strengthen tenant protections. She also passed a measure prohibiting employers from discriminating against victims of domestic violence and requiring them to provide reasonable accommodations for employees to make court appearances and receive vital care (A.5618). It’s crucial to eliminate as many barriers as possible so that more victims can get out of dangerous situations, not just the ones who can afford to leave, noted Hunter.

To further help victims break away from their abusers, Hunter supported legislation to:

• allow victims of domestic violence to cancel telephone or cable contracts without incurring cancellation fees (A.5318);
• allow victims to vote by special ballot by mail (A.219-A);
• require hospitals to establish policies and procedures regarding identifying and notifying domestic violence victims of available services (A.2850-A); and
• require health insurers to provide victims of domestic violence with the option to have claim information and benefits sent to an alternative mailing address (A.2832).

The package also includes legislation to help more victims face their abusers in court and move forward with their lives. One measure allows victims to receive damages for economic and non-economic losses from all defendants found liable in civil court (A.5614). Hunter also supported measures to increase the statute of limitations for a civil action to recover damages for injuries arising from domestic violence (A.1945) and simplify the language in court documents so that victims understand their legal rights and access to services (A.7395). Additionally, to recognize the many forms that domestic violence can take, Hunter supported a measure expanding the definition in the Social Services Law of “victim of domestic violence” to include victims of identity theft, grand larceny and coercion and assure that they are eligible for certain victim services (A.5608).

“Making the brave decision to face an abuser in court can be a terrifying ordeal for victims,” said Hunter. “These measures will help make the process less daunting so that they can focus on what’s most important – recovering from their past and building a brighter future.”

Far too many suffer in silence at the hands of an abuser, noted Hunter. Help and support are always available. For additional information, visit the New York State Office of Victim Services website at ovs.ny.gov or the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence website at opdv.ny.gov. Locally, Vera House provides shelter, advocacy and counseling services for domestic and sexual violence victims in Central New York. For help or assistance, call Vera House at 315-468-3260 or visit verahouse.org.

[1] ncadv.org/statistics

[2] Ibid.

[3] stoprelationshipabuse.org/educated/barriers-to-leaving-an-abusive-relationship