Queens District Attorney Katz partners with Addabbo and Rajkumar to highlight resources for domestic violence victims with free workshop in Ozone Park

October is known as Domestic Violence awareness month, so three Queens elected officials are partnering to bring a free Domestic Violence Workshop to the community this October to inform victims of where they can turn and the services available to them.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz is hosting a free Domestic Violence Workshop with State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar on Wednesday, October 19, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Queens Public Library’s Ozone Park Branch, located at 92-24 Rockaway Boulevard. The event will also be live streamed on DA Katz’s Facebook page.

Their hope is to invite residents to the workshop who may be dealing with domestic violence situations and to inform them of the signs of domestic violence, the different types of domestic violence and the resources available to victims.

Speakers at the workshop include: 

• Audra Beerman, Deputy Bureau Chief, Domestic Violence Bureau; 
• Susan Jacob, Executive Director, Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, New York Family Justice Center, Queens; and 
• Tanisha Greenaway, Police Officer, Office of the Chief of Department Domestic Violence Unit Queens Family Justice Center. 

According to data from CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), about 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime and reported at least one impact of the violence. Over 43 million women and about 38 million men experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Additionally, about 11 million women and 5 million men who reported experiencing contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime said that they first experienced these forms of violence before the age of 18.

“Victims of domestic violence are often made to feel by their abuser like they deserve the treatment they are receiving and that there is no one that can help them. Nothing is further from the truth,” Addabbo said. “There are many outreach groups and resources for victims of domestic violence, and we hope to get that information out to the public with this free workshop. I want to thank my colleagues in government, Assemblywoman Rajkumar and DA Katz for helping to put this together, and all of our partners for providing this important information to the community.”

“In 2021, New York City’s Domestic Violence Hotline received over 93,000 calls, which have increased 15% during the pandemic. We must answer every one of these calls for help, and do all that we can to bring the number of calls down to zero,” Rajkumar said. “My workshop with District Attorney Katz and Senator Addabbo will educate the people of South Queens on the resources available to help domestic violence survivors. Our goal is to ensure that no one is isolated and alone in an abusive situation. Together, we can empower domestic violence survivors to break free from the cycle of violence.”

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said, “My Office works every day to investigate and prosecute cases of intimate partner violence because no-one deserves to suffer the trauma of domestic abuse. Too often, victims are made to feel alone and isolated in their pain but we will continue to partner with public officials, community leaders, and service providers to make sure that available resources reach those who truly need them. At the very beginning of my administration, I created a domestic violence helpline, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone who needs help can call 718-286-4410 to obtain crucial services and help reclaim their life. I’d like to thank State Senator Joseph Addabbo and Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar for their partnership on this important issue.”

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If anyone is having suicidal thoughts or tendencies, they can reach out to the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is a 24/7 hotline with operators that speak several different languages to help in your time of need.