NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Marks International Denim Day at Empire State Plaza Concourse

Media Advisory: NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, NYS Office of General Services and St. Peter’s Health Partners Crime Victim Services partner for Sexual Assault Awareness Month and International Denim Day Exhibit on the Empire State Plaza Concourse 

Where: Empire State Plaza Concourse 

Date:    Wednesday, April 24, 2024 

Press Event Time:    11:00 AM 

Who:    Kelli Owens, Executive Director of the NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Lindsey Crusan-Muse, Director of St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services

What:  

• The NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, in partnership with the NYS Office of General Services, will hold a powerful and thought-provoking exhibit in recognition of International Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.The exhibit will be open to the public Tuesday, April 23, 2024 through Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 9:00 AM- 3:00 PM each day
• On April 3, 2024, Governor Hochul issued a proclamation declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 
• In recognition of Denim Day and the courage of survivors, key New York State landmarks will be lit in teal on April 24, 2024

Why:  Executive Director Owens and Crusan-Muse will speak about the significance of International Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, with a focus on tech-facilitated abuse and the rise of virtual assaults and sexual violence in the digital world. Throughout April, OPDV is encouraging New Yorkers to learn about the dangers of sexual violence in the online world. OPDV’s SAAM theme “Dating in the Digital” helps New Yorkers explore the positives, including setting healthy boundaries and understanding virtual consent, while also diving into the rapidly emerging trends of AI generated DeepFakes and sextortion.

For more information on Denim Day, please see here. 

For more information on OPDV’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month events, please see here. 

For questions or further information, please contact:

Jacquie Slater

Director of Public Information, NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence

(518) 457-8222 (Office)

(518) 912-7882 (Mobile)

press@opdv.ny.gov

The New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence is the country's only cabinet level state agency dedicated to the issue of gender-based violence. The state's Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline is available 24/7: 800-942-6906 (call), 844-997-2121 (text) or @opdv.ny.gov (chat). Individuals also can visit www.ovs.ny.gov/connect to find a victim assistance program in their community.