June 24, 2010

 

Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence (OCDV) Commissioner Yolanda B. Jimenez today officially launched the Bronx phase of a public education campaign being displayed throughout the City. The bilingual campaign in English and Spanish was announced by Mayor Bloomberg during the opening of the City’s third Family Justice Center in the Bronx, last April, when the Mayor also kicked-off the first phase of this effort consisting of a Spanish-language public service announcement radio campaign with the support of 93.1 FM Amor and Mega 97.9 FM.

 

This campaign has been created to increase communities’ knowledge about domestic violence and where to get help. Based on input from domestic violence survivors, during this second phase of the campaign, posters and palm cards, which emphasize that everyone has a right to a healthy relationship, will be located in common places where New Yorkers may encounter them daily including supermarkets, pharmacies and banks. This is the first citywide domestic violence campaign that reaches out to people with disabilities. To kick-off the campaign in the Bronx, Commissioner Jimenez was joined by Rachelle Abrahami, Executive Director of the New York City Family Justice Center in the Bronx, David Samberg, Verizon Wireless Public Relations Manager, and Raymond Rodriguez, Krasdale Foods Retail Counselor at a C-Town Supermarket located on 1750 University Ave. Additional events will be held in the other boroughs.

 

“Reducing domestic violence begins with each and every one of us recognizing what an unhealthy relationship is and knowing where to get help,” said Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence Commissioner Yolanda B. Jimenez. “By partnering with local businesses we are making sure that this message is delivered to every neighborhood in New York City. We are asking all businesses to join this effort to help save lives.”

 

The campaign is partly funded by the Verizon Wireless HopeLine through the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. Thanks to the strong support of committed business partners such as C-Town Supermarkets, CVS, Duane Reade, New York Community Bank, Northfield Bank,   Pay-O-Matic, and White Castle in addition to other small businesses, posters and palm cards will be placed in thousands of locations throughout the City. The campaign materials will also be placed at several City agencies including the Administration for Children’s Services, Department of Consumer Affairs, Department of Homeless Services, Human Resources Administration, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and New York City Housing Authority in addition to medical providers’ offices. All materials encourage people to call 311 for the New York City Domestic Violence Hotline or 911 in an emergency.

 

“Verizon Wireless, through its HopeLine program, is proud to support and contribute to this

far-reaching public education campaign,” said Pat Devlin, President, Verizon Wireless, New York Metro Region. “It’s a significant step in raising the awareness of domestic violence among New Yorkers, and we thank the Mayor’s Office for leading the charge.”

 

Efforts like these will help to build on the reductions we have seen during the Bloomberg Administration. In fact, during the last eight years, family related homicides have decreased by 20%. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please call 311 or the City’s      24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-621-HOPE (4673) available in all languages. In an emergency call 911.

 

Businesses interested in joining this campaign can receive posters by calling the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence at (212) 788-3156. To learn how to make a donation for services to domestic violence victims through the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, please visit www.nyc.gov/fund.

 

 

 

Contact: Ruth Villalonga (OCDV)

212-442-0490