Seward Secures Grant Funds To Aid Domestic Violence Victims

ONEONTA, 09/03/14 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) announced today that $75,000 in grant funds he secured will go to local domestic violence programs.

“These community programs provide vital services for those in dire need, who often have nowhere else to turn,” said Senator Seward.  “The U.S. Surgeon General has identified domestic violence as the number one health problem affecting American women.  We are fortunate to have so many local organizations providing help to vulnerable individuals, and I am pleased to assist them in their efforts to make our communities safer.”

The funding was set aside in the 2014-2015 state budget.

Program                                                           Funding Amount

YWCA of Cortland                                                      $15,000

Catholic Charities of Herkimer County                      $15,000

Opportunities for Otsego                                            $12,500

Catholic Charities of Schoharie County                     $15,000

Chenango County Catholic Charities                         $10,000

Delaware Opportunities                                                $7,500

Along with providing grant funds to local, non-profit violence intervention programs, Senator Seward is also a proponent of strong domestic violence laws.  This year, he worked to pass legislation focusing specifically on the needs of domestic violence victims including:

• S.5876-protecting domestic violence victims from housing discrimination;

• S.5878-allowing domestic violence victims to electronically file for orders of protection;

• S.2205-allowing domestic violence victims to testify via closed circuit television to avoid courtroom intimidation by alleged abusers.

All three bills passed the senate unanimously, but the state assembly failed to bring them to the floor for consideration.

“Domestic violence victims are often dealing with both physical and emotional trauma.  These bills ensure that victims are not mistreated further and are able to start rebuilding their lives.  I am hopeful the state assembly will see the importance of these bills and take steps to ensure they become law immediately,” Seward said. 

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