Senator Carlucci Secures $25,000 in State Funding For Center For Safety & Change

(New City, NY) Sen. David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) secured $25,000 in the 2018 New York State Budget for Rockland’s Center For Safety & Change to combat teen dating violence.

On Wednesday, Sen. Carlucci joined the Center For Safety & Change, domestic violence survivors, and Rockland County’s District Attorney in New City to make the announcement.

“Across the country each year, nearly 1.5 million high school students are experiencing physical abuse at the hands of their partner. It is often a hard topic for parents to address, but we must increase awareness and education. This is why I am proud to support Center For Safety & Change’s teen dating violence prevention programs with critical state funding,” said Sen. David Carlucci.

Center For Safety & Change is the sole provider of services in Rockland County for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and all crimes. The funding will go specifically to support two of the Center’s prevention education programs: Teen Dating Violence Prevention Program (TDVPP) and Student Activists Ending Dating Abuse (SAEDA).

“Both programs have a long and distinguished track record of changing the lives of Rockland’s youth by educating them about what abuse, assault, coercion, harassment and bullying look like. These are the crucial initiatives Senator Carlucci is supporting, and what brings us here today,” said Amy Siniscalchi, Center For Safety & Change Deputy Executive Director.

“I want to thank Sen. Carlucci for his tireless efforts helping survivors of teen dating violence, domestic violence, and sexual assault. The statistics surrounding teen dating violence are staggering. We have an excellent partner here in Rockland, Center For Safety & Change, who is implementing these programs to prevent teen dating violence and making all our children safer, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe.

Siniscalchi explained TDVPP allows trained educators with the Center For Safety & Change to go into high school health classes in the county in three consecutive classes in a week. Students are taught how to recognize the red flags of dating abuse, the traits of a healthy relationship, respect, the meaning of consent, and how to support a friend and access services.

The SAEDA program offers a 4-day training for Rockland County students to explore the topics of teen dating abuse, healthy relationships, and other social justice issues. Students can then join the SAEDA Sub-Committee and take on activist projects.

Both TDVPP and SAEDA trainings are provided at no cost to participating schools or districts. 

If you or someone you know has experienced teen dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or any crime, please call the Center For Safety & Change’s 24-hour hotline at: 845-634-3344.