Seward Secures Funds for Domestic Violence Prevention Programs

ONEONTA, 07/28/16 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) announced today that $65,000 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.   “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.  These agencies are lifelines and, in many cases, are all that stand between a domestic violence victim and a tragic situation.”

The funding was set aside in the 2016-2017 state budget.

Program                                                           Funding Amount

• YWCA of Cortland                                          $15,000
• Catholic Charities of Herkimer County   $15,000
• Opportunities for Otsego                              $15,000
• Catholic Charities of Schoharie County   $15,000
• Delaware Opportunities                                $5,000

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.6658 – the Domestic Violence Protection Act, also known as Brittany’s Law, that would create a publicly accessible registry of all individuals convicted of a violent felony and allow local law enforcement to keep track of their location;
• S.3087 – allowing domestic violence victims to testify via closed circuit television to avoid courtroom intimidation by alleged abusers.

While both bills passed the senate, the state assembly failed to bring either to the floor for consideration.

“Domestic violence victims are often dealing with both physical and emotional trauma.  These bills would ensure that victims are not mistreated further and are able to start rebuilding their lives.  In addition, Brittany’s Law would increase community awareness of predators and help strengthen public safety,” Seward said.

In 2015, S.6 was passed as part of the senate’s Women’s Equality Agenda.  The measure, which was signed into law, creates a pilot program to allow domestic violence victims to obtain orders of protection through electronic means rather than having to appear in person. 

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