Be alerted when an order of protection is served. SAVIN-NY now in effect!

Victims of violence can now register and receive an alert if and when their offender has been served. It’s called SAVIN-NY, an acronym for Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification. A few months ago, NYS Sheriffs’ Institute in partnership with other NY agencies released the new SAVIN-NY Order of Protection Notification system.  The Order of [...]

Effective Jan. 1, 2013 – New privacy protection laws for New York Domestic violence victims receiving medical or mental health services

For a domestic violence (dv) victim, the need for privacy is a need for physical safety.  Abuse often involves privacy violations such as surveillance, monitoring, or other stalking.  As a result, its critical for personal data and info to be kept away from the perpetrator.   For the most part, abusers can take advantage of the [...]

LawHelp.org/NY Provides Victims of Domestic Violence & Advocates with Resources to Stop the Violence

Domestic violence can be any physical, emotional, sexual, or psychological action that one person uses to gain power or control over another.One in four women and one in thirteen men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.  A New York Task Force, to investigate the increased legal needs of low income New Yorkers found a [...]

New York Domestic Violence Awareness Series: How to stay Safe

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.  During this time, we will be running an informational series on domestic violence resources and information in New York.  Our first New York Domestic Violence Awareness Series, will begin with the topic of safety and how to stay safe if you or someone you know is involved in domestic [...]

What are the signs that something’s wrong in a relationship? Signs of an abusive relationship aren’t always physical

What are the signs that something’s wrong in a relationship? Is it when your partner starts controlling who you can or can’t see? Or when your partner threatens to hurt you, your loved ones, or even your pets if you don’t do what he or she wants? Signs of an abusive relationship aren’t always physical.  [...]

Legislation alert for NY: Additional protection for immigrants dealing with domestic violence

Obama’s recent executive order targeted to undocumented immigration youth, highlights another important immigration policy that remains unresolved – the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Right now there are two competing versions of a women’s rights bill extension.  Both Senate and the Congress versions seek to extend VAWA, which protects immigrant women against [...]

New York Domestic Violence Awareness Series: Immigration and Domestic Violence

You do not need to have legal immigration status to get help with domestic violence There are certain rights you have in New York State even if you do not have legal immigration status: You have the right to call the police if you feel you are in danger inside or outside your home.  Just [...]

New York Domestic Violence Awareness Series: Getting an Ordering of Protection

You may want to seek legal advice before filing for an order of protection There are many ways to protect yourself when leaving an abusive relationship.  One option is filing for an order of protection in your local Family Court.  However, it is best to get advice from an experienced lawyer before going to Family [...]

Finding help if you are a victim of domestic violence in New York State

For many victims of domestic violence, the daily pain and harassment becomes a shameful secret; making it hard to speak up about it.  Trapped in a vicious cycle of physical and/or verbal abuse, it is unfortunate that many of these victims of domestic violence are never able to escape and instead lose their lives at [...]