Four State Senators Teamed Up with The Safe Center LI for “Hope in Action: A Domestic Violence Awareness & Prevention Program” in East Meadow

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to recognize and to work to end domestic abuse. Domestic violence is a serious problem that affects millions of people across the United States and around the world. It affects people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and socioeconomic statuses. To lead the way on ending domestic violence, New York State Senators Steve Rhoads, Jack Matins, Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, and Alexis Weik teamed up with The Safe Center LI for Hope in Action: A Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Program at the East Meadow Public Library on Thursday, October 19th at 7:00pm.

This one-hour program presented an overview of services provided by The Safe Center (the only organization in Nassau County providing free comprehensive services to victims of intimate partner/domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual and physical abuse, and human trafficking), as well as touch on the dynamics and cycle of intimate partner/domestic violence.  Participants learned how to identify red flags of domestic violence, how to identify and access resources, in addition to ways to screen for abuse and help those in need. 

Senator Steve Rhoads (District 5) said, “Domestic violence awareness month is an important time to bring attention to the pervasive issue of domestic violence in our society. According to the Safe Center LI, in 2020 alone, there were 13,267 reports of Domestic Violence to the Nassau County Police Department and 6,197 calls to the Domestic Violence Hotline. With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men having been victims of domestic violence in their lifetime, I am proud to be leading the fight against domestic violence up in Albany. I voted for 6 bills and co-sponsored another bill just last session supporting resources for domestic violence victims. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an important opportunity to recognize the severity of the issue, take steps to educate the community, and prevent it from occurring.”

Senator Jack Martins (District 7) said, “Workshops like these are key to raising awareness to the warning signs.  But whether it’s domestic violence, child abuse, or even elder abuse, victims always need a tangible lifeline that offers them hope.  On Long Island, The Safe Center is that lifeline.”

Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (District 9) said, “Preventing domestic violence is imperative and a societal responsibility. It requires a multi-faceted approach involving individuals, communities, and levels of government. By fostering a culture of respect, promoting awareness, and implementing policies that supports survivors and holds perpetrators accountable, we can work towards the eradication of domestic violence. Together, we must work to create a world where every home is a sanctuary, free from fear.”

Jennifer Rowland, Senior Director of Education and Learning at The Safe Center Long Island, said, “The Safe Center, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, is the leading victim service organization in Nassau County, providing comprehensive and trauma-informed services for victims of interpersonal violence including domestic violence, child sexual and severe physical abuse, rape and sexual assault, human trafficking, and elder abuse. In 2014, The Safe Center was created by the merger of the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (founded in 1978) and the Coalition Against Child Abuse & Neglect (founded in 1979). This merger created a highly integrated service model to empower victims of interpersonal violence to recover from their abuse. The Safe Center operates a 24-hour Hotline (516-542-0404) providing crisis intervention for those in need.”