New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and New York State Office of General Services to Cohost the New York State Clothesline Project

New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, in Partnership with NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-based Violence, to Host Technology Facilitated Abuse Panel, with CUNY Graduate Center and John Jay College of Criminal Justice

OPDV to Bring Together Key Domestic Violence Stakeholders at Two Separate Summits Addressing Lethality and Child Support

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) is participating in several key events to further its mission of being survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive in its efforts to educate the public and best support survivors.  

OPDV’s focus for this Domestic Violence Awareness Month is centered around financial abuse in the digital world. According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, financial abuse occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases. Throughout the month, OPDV will conduct a social media campaign to raise awareness around digital financial abuse as a form of domestic violence.

New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Owens said, “When people hear the term domestic violence, many immediately think of it as a physical act. Sadly, domestic violence can present in many different ways. People who harm often use digital financial abuse to maintain power and control over their partner. OPDV recognizes all forms of abuse can have long-lasting impacts on victims, survivors, and their families. We want survivors to know they are not alone, and we remain committed to working in a survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive way. This year, New York became the first state in the country to commit $5 million in yearly flexible funding to survivors that can help them with critical needs, and in many cases, find safety and a path to financial security. We thank Governor Hochul for her continued dedication to survivors.”

On October 8, in partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-based Violence, CUNY Graduate Center, and John Jay College of Criminal Justice, OPDV will host Tech Abuse Today, a panel discussion about Technology Facilitated Abuse. The panel will be open to the public and will be moderated by OPDV’s Executive Director Kelli Owens.

The agency, in partnership with the New York State Office of General Services, will also recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month by hosting the New York State Clothesline Project. The Clothesline Project originated in Hyannis, Massachusetts back in 1990, as part of an annual “Take Back the Night” March and Rally. Throughout that day, women came forward to create shirts and the line kept growing. The New York State Clothesline Project features shirts made by survivors, family members, and supporters from all across the state. The Clothesline not only raises awareness, but also serves to let survivors know they are not alone. The exhibit will be displayed at the Empire State Plaza Concourse from October 15 through October 17 and will provide information on local service providers and New York State resources. Portable Clothesline Project exhibits will be displayed at CUNY Graduate Center and John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City.

New this year, in addition to weekly Domestic Violence 101 and Gender-based Violence trainings, OPDV will bring hundreds of stakeholders together for two key summits. The Safe Access for Victims' Economic Security (SAVES) Summit: Building Community to Empower Survivors will be held in Syracuse in partnership with the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and will bring together national experts, domestic violence , child support staff, temporary assistance staff, survivors, and the SAVES team, with the goal of creating opportunities for these groups to share resources, strengthen collaborations, and hear directly from survivors about ways to make the child support process safer and more accessible. The Lethality Summit, in partnership with the Division of Criminal Justice Services, will be held in Albany and will provide law enforcement, attorneys, social services staff, gender-based violence service providers, and other professionals with the tools needed to assess danger in domestic violence cases and use that information to respond in a survivor-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive way.

New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “No one experiencing domestic violence should feel alone. OGS is proud to host the New York State’s Clothesline Project with the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence at the Empire State Plaza. We join our partners statewide in encouraging people to look out for one another and stand in solidarity with survivors of domestic violence.”

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “Throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month, OTDA remains committed to raising awareness and highlighting the resources available to assist survivors of gender-based violence. OTDA is proud of the work we have done with OPDV to increase safe access to child support and related services for victims and survivors of domestic violence. We thank Governor Hochul and appreciate her deep understanding of the impacts of domestic violence and her commitment to reduce its prevalence and serve those impacted.”

New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden said, “Domestic violence (DV) has the potential to plague every community and every family in many ways. OCFS recognizes how nuanced DV prevention is, particularly as we work to promote the safety, social and emotional needs of families across the state. The shame and silence associated not only for those experiencing DV directly, but also indirectly, as an onlooking child, friend, neighbor, or co-worker, is traumatic. Approximately half of the families involved in the child welfare system have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence, which is why OCFS uses as the Safe & Together Institute model to prioritize keeping children safe and together with the non-offending parent. We appreciate the Governor’s investments and support of the trauma-informed and culturally competent offerings through OPDV, OCFS, OTDA, and our sister agencies.”  

Please reach out to Jacquie Slater, Director of Public Information, with interview requests or to request more information.

Jacquie Slater

Director of Public Information/ Bureau of External Affairs (she/her/hers) 

New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence 

Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Albany, NY 12210 

1. (518) 457-8222 c. (518) 912-7881| 

New York State’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline Provides free, confidential support 24/7 and is available in most languages: 800-942-6906 (call), 844-997-2121 (text), or @opdv.ny.gov (chat). Individuals can also visit www.ovs.ny.gov/connect to find a victim assistance program in their community. The Office of Victim Services also funds and supports 239 victim assistance programs across the state that provide essential services, such as crisis counseling, support groups, case management, emergency shelter, civil legal help, and relocation assistance, among other assistance, to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes, and their families.