Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D-Rochester, Henrietta, Chili) announced the Assembly passed a series of bills that he co-sponsored to address the issue of domestic violence and provide better assistance, protection and justice to victims throughout New York State.

“It is unconscionable that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence during the course of her lifetime,” said Assemblymember Bronson. “In 2012, state courts issued over 300,000 domestic violence orders of protection. That same year in New York State, more than half of female homicide victims over the age of 16 were killed by an intimate partner.¹ We must do more to end this scourge on our communities.”

Domestic violence takes a devastating toll on victims, both physically and emotionally, and for those who have suffered at the hands of an abuser, it can take years to repair their lives. The Assembly’s legislation is part of a commitment to providing victims the support and resources they need.

Preventing discrimination

“Victims of domestic violence face significant barriers when it comes to putting their lives back together,” said Assemblymember Bronson. “But discrimination is one barrier we can help them overcome – and that’s exactly what the Assembly’s legislation does.”

Specifically, the Assembly’s legislation would prohibit employment discrimination against victims of domestic violence (A.272) as well as discrimination related to housing, including preventing individuals from being evicted due to their status as a victim (A.6354-A).

Protecting victims

“When someone suffers violence at the hands of an intimate partner, it can be especially difficult to ask for help and get the protection they need,” said Assemblymember Bronson. “But victims should know they are not alone. The Assembly’s legislation strengthens laws that protect victims and helps them get the support they deserve.”

The Assembly’s legislation would:

• prohibit domestic violence offenders from possessing or purchasing a firearm (A.5257 and A.6340);
• require police to promptly translate domestic violence incident reports that are filled out in a language other than English, as well as provide the notification of victims’ rights in a victim’s native language (A.4347);
• require the interpretation of orders of protection in court proceedings (A.162); and
• require hospitals to establish procedures regarding domestic violence and ongoing training programs for staff, and to designate a hospital staff member to coordinate services to victims (A.1232).

Expanding victims’ rights

“Expanding victims’ rights is another effective way we can address the problem of domestic violence, wherever and whenever it occurs,” said Assemblymember Bronson. “This legislation will hold abusers accountable and help ease the recovery process for victims and their loved ones.”

The Assembly’s legislation would:

• allow victims to recover non-economic damages from any or all defendants found liable for failure to obey or enforce domestic violence orders of protection or temporary orders of protection (A.260);
• require wireless telephone companies to allow victims of domestic violence to opt out of shared or family plans without incurring any penalties (A.326); and
• establish a pilot program that would allow victims of domestic violence to electronically file petitions for temporary orders of protection (A.6262).

Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can seek help 24 hours a day by calling New York’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-942-6906. For further information, visit the New York State Office of Victim Services’ website at ovs.ny.gov or the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence website at opdv.ny.gov. Locally, contact Alternatives for Battered Women at 585-232-7353.

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