Seward Announces Funding For Cortland's Aid To Victims Of Violence Program

CORTLAND, 10/01/15 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) announced today that $70,000 in grant funds he secured will go to the YWCA of Cortland’s Aid to Victims of Violence (AVV) program.

“While progress has been made in combating domestic violence, the reprehensible crime continues to plague our society,” said Senator Seward.  “In Cortland County, we are fortunate to have caring and compassionate individuals to help those in need and I am committed to partnering with them to make certain they have the resources necessary to carry out their vital mission.” 

Senator Seward announced the grants during a special Domestic Violence Awareness Month kick-off event at the Cortland County Courthouse Park which included a moment of silence and balloon release in honor of victims and survivors of domestic violence.

Aid to Victims of Violence Program Director Linda Shutts said, “We are extremely fortunate to have such a committed partner as Senator Seward, to help us in our battle against domestic violence. This funding helps greatly to offset some of the funding cuts that we have experienced this year. Aid to Victims of Violence is dedicated to serving every victim in our community with compassion and understanding.”

YWCA of Cortland Executive Director Kelly Tobin said, “For over 30 years the YWCA's Aid to Victims of Violence has been providing rape crisis and domestic violence services to the Cortland community. In 2014 alone we received over 3,000 calls to our 24/7 hotline. In early April, when funding cuts became a reality, programs state wide feared the loss of critical rape crisis and prevention education services.  Senator Seward responded to our request for assistance, securing funds for the 2015-2016 budget year and advocating for key legislative initiatives. On behalf of everyone at the YWCA and the Aid to Victims of Violence program, we are thankful for the senator's dedication and support in taking a stand against domestic violence.”

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.5 - protecting domestic violence victims from housing discrimination;

• S.6 - allowing domestic violence victims to electronically file for orders of protection;

• S.513 – the Domestic Violence Protection Act – Brittany’s Law, to create a publicly accessible registry of all individuals convicted of a violent felony;

• S.3087 - allowing domestic violence victims to testify via closed circuit television to avoid courtroom intimidation by alleged abusers.

All four measures have been approved in previous years as well by the state senate.  In 2015, both S.5 and S.6 also passed the state assembly and will be sent to the governor for his consideration.

“Victims of domestic violence are often dealing with physical and emotional trauma.  I have worked consistently to secure funding and adopt laws to make our communities safer and help victims rebuild their lives,” added Seward.   

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