Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz - The Bronx District Attorney Does a Tremendous Favor For Senator Luis Sepulveda

 

You should know that nine 9 months ago, on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, Senator Luis Sepulveda was arrested, his wife, Elizabeth Sepulveda accused him of domestic violence and attempting to strangle her. 

 

According to the article published by the New York Post dated Tuesday, January 12, Ms. Elizabeth Sepulveda appeared at the police precinct accusing Senator Sepulveda of his attempting to strangle her during a family dispute that occurred on January 15, 2021, in their apartment located on Daly Avenue in the Bronx.

 

You should know that according to press reports this has been the second time that Ms. Sepulveda appeared in court seeking a restraining order of protection for domestic abuse against her husband Senator Luis Sepulveda.  Given that this is not the first time that Ms. Sepulveda has filed for an order of protection, it’s apparent that Senator Luis Sepulveda is the kind of man who likes to abuse women.

 

It is important for you to know that I just read an article in the New York Post dated Monday, October 4, 2021, that reports that the Bronx County Prosecutor's Office has dismissed the charges against Senator Luis Sepulveda.  

 

The article also explains that a spokesman for the prosecution indicates that the case against Senator Sepúlveda was dismissed because the "Complainant" meaning Ms. Sepulveda no longer wants to testify.

 

I remember when former Senator Hiram Monserrate was accused of having assaulted his partner and was expelled from the Senate in spite of the fact that she testified that Senator Hiram Monserrate was not the cause of her injuries, and that it was an accident.   Nonetheless he was expelled from the Senate.   

 

You should know that the Bronx prosecutor's office not only dismissed all the charges against Senator Luis Sepulveda but shelved and seal the case records.   What a tremendous favor from the Bronx prosecutor wow!    Let me remind you this was not the first time that Ms. Sepúlveda accused the Senator of physical assault, this was the second time.   This his second time Ms. Sepulveda, according to rumors, when Ms. Sepulveda appeared at the police precinct, she had visible injuries to her face and neck.

 

So, we must wonder how is it that former Senator Hiram Monserrate is expelled from the Senate,because supposedly we protect women and because we had to send a message that this would not be tolerated especially from an elected official.  In Senator Monserrate’s case it didn’t matter that his companion continuously said and testified that Hiram was innocent of the accusations.

 

Also know that the Bronx Prosecutor's office waited 9 months, since the criminal charges were filed to now not only dismiss all charges against Senator Sepulveda but to also seal them.   What a Spectacle!  Is this how we protect women?

 

On the other hand, there is a law that punishes anyone who files a false report, causing the Department of Justice, police department and the prosecutor's office time and money by filing false allegations.

 

I wonder if Ms. Elizabeth Sepulveda having accused Senator Luis Sepulveda on two separate occasions of physical abuse, has she lied to the police and is she guilty of having filed false allegations?   What would be the consequences?

 

To the honorable Darcel Clark, Prosecutor of Bronx County, I leave these questions in your hands.   I don't want to think that the Bronx prosecutor's office has ignored our laws to do Senator Luis Sepulveda a big favor.   

 

I am Councilman  Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

'If Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. had any evidence he should have given it to the Bronx District Attorney's office, rather than ranting here as he is doing. 

It seems that Councilman Diaz Sr. fails to remember that the incident of former State Senator Hiram Monserrate was that he was convicted of misdemeanor assault after dragging his girlfriend and assaulting her on video. 

Councilman Diaz is being a bully as he and his son then Assemblyman Ruben Diaz Jr. tried to do to former Bronx Democratic Party leader Jose Rivera when there was a judicial race where the Diaz's had a different candidate than the Bronx  Democratic Party Leader had. The argument got to a point where Bronx Democratic Party Leader Jose Rivera said to the Diaz's "Get out of here you two bums, and don't come back". How do I know that fact? I was in the office of the Bronx Democratic Party at the right time, heard the argument, and saw both Diaz's leave. 

The Diaz's became part of the Rainbow Coalition that overthrew Bronx Democratic Party Leader Jose Rivera by defeating Bronx Democratic County Leader Rivera's candidate for judge, and then installing Assemblyman Carl Heastie as the new Bronx Democratic Party Leader at the Bronx Democratic Party County Committee meeting that year 2008. 

MAYOR DE BLASIO COMMISSIONS STAFF SERGEANT MICHAEL H. OLLIS, CITY’S FIRST NEW STATEN ISLAND FERRY IN 16 YEARS

 

Ollis was a New Dorp resident killed in 2013 saving the life of a fellow soldier in Afghanistan

 

$85 million, state-of-the-art ferry to set sail later this year

 Mayor Bill de Blasio, Department of Transportation Commissioner Hank Gutman, and Staten Island Borough President Jimmy Oddo today officially commissioned the Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis, the first new Staten Island Ferry vessel added to the fleet since 2005. The $85 million, state-of-the-art ferry is named for Michael H. Ollis, a New Dorp resident who was killed in Afghanistan saving the life of a fellow soldier in 2013. The Mayor was joined at the ceremony by honored guests, including members of the Ollis family.

 

The ferry has completed harbor trials and passed U.S. Coast Guard inspections, and will serve passengers for the first time later this year.

 

“Staff Sergeant Ollis represented the best of New York City, and we’re proud to honor his legacy with a beautiful addition to the iconic Staten Island Ferry fleet,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “With two more new ferries on the way, we’re transforming this system into the modern, reliable, safe fleet Staten Island deserves – and we’ll carry Michael’s name with us every day the boat is in our harbor.”

 

“The Staten Island Ferry is an iconic part of New York City, and the SSG Michael H. Ollis is a beautiful addition to the fleet,” said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. “In addition to the Ollis family, we thank the wide array of state and federal agencies and elected officials whose support made this day possible. To New Yorkers beyond Staten Island, we remind you that there has never been a better time to catch a free sunset ride across New York harbor.”

 

“Michael Ollis was a kid from Staten Island who grew into a man, who became a soldier, and then a bonafide hero,” said Borough President James S. Oddo. “He is the son of Bob and Linda Ollis; he embodied their decency and integrity throughout his life and the roots of his heroism clearly can be traced back to how he was raised by his Mom and Dad. His remarkable story lives on as the Ollis Class of Staten Island Ferry boats will service generations of Staten Islanders, and Staten Islanders and New Yorkers can show their respect and appreciation by knowing his story. Mayor de Blasio made the right call in recognizing this remarkable young man, and I hope this commissioning creates a moment of unity for our community.”

 

“It is a privilege to help honor Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis at this commissioning of a new Ferry named in his honor,” said Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York. “Jesus said ‘there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for another.’ That is precisely what Sergeant Ollis did, when he shielded an injured fellow soldier in battle, and gave his own life instead. May his example inspire our fellow New Yorkers and all those who will use this vessel for years to come.”

 

The SSG Michael H. Ollis is the first of three new, 4,500-passenger ferries commissioned by the de Blasio administration since 2014, with support from funds provided by a range of federal agencies and elected officials, including U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. The mayor first announced its name alongside Borough President Oddo and the Ollis family in 2016. The three new ferries will be larger, more modern, and safer in extreme weather than the existing fleet. They will feature popular design elements of past Staten Island Ferries, including phone-charging outlets and more comfortable seating, as well as an oval upper-deck promenade that will for the first time serve as an outdoor “walking track” for riders.

 

The second boat in the Ollis class, the Sandy Ground, honors one of the nation’s first Black settlements – located on Staten Island’s South Shore, which also served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. With a name originally championed by Council Member Debi Rose, the Sandy Ground is expected to arrive in New York in December 2021 and begin regular passenger service in 2022. The third boat in the Ollis class is named for Dorothy Day, the legendary Catholic peace activist who lived on Staten Island. It will arrive in 2022. 

 

Liberty Democratic Association Awards Dinner Thursday October 14th - 6 - 9 PM

 

WILLIAMS' STATEMENT ON JAY JACOBS' EFFORTS TO PREVENT A 2022 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

 "Jay Jacobs’ efforts to shield the current powerbrokers and power structures from a challenge aren’t remotely surprising. His role, and that of the highest ranking Democratic officials in our state, should be to uplift Democratic candidates, Democratic voters, and democratic values. Instead, he is clinging to the systems that have empowered him, in the same way he and many others in Albany clung to Governor Cuomo – until it was politically impossible to do so, but long after it was in any way justifiable. 

"Governor Hochul should be using this moment to demonstrate a new direction of leadership for the state party, not continuing the practices of Andrew Cuomo’s Albany. If she, Jay Jacobs, or any other Democratic state leaders are more interested in supporting Democratic candidates than cynical incumbency protection, they would be focused less on avoiding a 2022 primary, where Jacobs should be impartial, and more on the 2021 general election where they still refuse to endorse the young Black female Democratic nominee for Mayor in New York’s second largest city as she battles against a Republican-backed opponent." Said NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

Domestic Violence Charges Against NY Sen. Luis Sepulveda Dropped

 

The New York Post has reported that all charges of Domestic Violence against State Senator Luis Sepulveda have been dropped by the Bronx District Attorney. They quote DA Darcel Clark as saying "the District Attorney's office is unable to meet our burden of proof, and that the complaining witness no longer wishes to testify". the entire New York Post article can be found at -

https://nypost.com/2021/10/04/ny-sen-luis-sepulvedas-domestic-violence-charges-dropped/

In speaking to Senator Sepulveda, he expects to be fully reinstated by the New York State Senate, and had nothing else to say at this time. 

Attorney General James to Deliver Up to $1.5 Billion to Local Communities Throughout NYS to Combat Opioid Crisis

AG James Begins Statewide ‘HealNY’ Tour to Deliver Money to Cities and Counties Ravaged by Opioid Epidemic, Stops in NYC and Long Island Today

All 62 Counties Within NYS to Receive Funds for Opioid Abatement 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today began her statewide ‘HealNY’ tour of New York state, where she will begin delivering the first of up to $1.5 billion to combat the opioid epidemic. The funds — which will go to all 10 regions of the state — come from different settlements Attorney General James has negotiated following her March 2019 lawsuit against the various manufacturers and distributors responsible for the opioid crisis. While Attorney General James’ tour will make stops in dozens of counties throughout the month of October, all 62 counties in New York state will receive funds from the various settlements.

“For more than two decades, New Yorkers have experienced the dire and deadly effects of opioids, but today we are starting the process of delivering up to $1.5 billion to New York’s 62 counties to help our communities rebuild,” said Attorney General James. “Today, we begin to heal New York with these funds that will help turn the tide on the opioid crisis. As we embark on a tour across the state, we are ensuring every region and every county gets financial help to recover from the devastation that opioids have inflicted on them. The funds we’re infusing into New York today and going forward will be used towards combatting this epidemic with investments in prevention, treatment, and recovery. While no amount of money will ever compensate for the millions of addictions, the hundreds of thousands of deaths, or the countless families torn apart by opioids, this money will be vital in preventing future devastation.”

The lawsuit Attorney General James filed in 2019 was, at the time, the nation’s most extensive lawsuit against the various manufacturers and distributors of opioids. These manufacturers and distributors were responsible for heavily marketing opioids to doctors, hospitals, health care systems, and others, which led to the over prescription of the drugs across New York and the rest of the nation over the last two decades. The manufacturers named in Attorney General James’ complaint included Purdue Pharma and its affiliates, as well as members of the Sackler Family (owners of Purdue) and trusts they control; Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its affiliates (including its parent company Johnson & Johnson); Mallinckrodt LLC and its affiliates; Endo Health Solutions and its affiliates; Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. and its affiliates; and Allergan Finance, LLC and its affiliates. The distributors named in the complaint were McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health Inc., Amerisource Bergen Drug Corporation, and Rochester Drug Cooperative Inc.

Last month, a settlement with Endo was announced that has already delivered $50 million to New York state and Nassau and Suffolk counties to combat the opioid crisis and remove the opioid manufacturer from New York’s ongoing opioid trial.

Also, last month, a settlement that secured more than $4.5 billion — at least $200 million of which will be earmarked for New York — from the Sackler family and foundations that they control, ends the Sacklers’ ability to manufacture opioids ever again, and will shut down Purdue Pharma was announced.

In July, a settlement with McKesson, Cardinal Health, and Amerisource Bergen that will deliver up to $1 billion to New York state to combat the opioid epidemic was announced.

In June, a settlement that ended Johnson & Johnson’s sale of opioids nationwide and that will deliver $230 million to New York alone was announced. The deals with Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, Cardinal Health, and Amerisource Bergen have a global value of approximately $26 billion.

The cases against Mallinckrodt and Rochester Drug Cooperative are now moving separately through U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

The trial against the two remaining defendants — Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and Allergan Finance — is currently underway and continues in state court.

Pursuant to the new law establishing the opioid settlement fund, all funds collected by the state from opioid settlements or litigation victories will be allocated specifically for abatement efforts in communities devastated by the opioid epidemic and will not go towards the state’s general fund.

Every region, and specifically every county, in the state will receive millions of dollars for prevention, treatment, and recovery programs to combat the opioid crisis.

The figures listed below represent the minimum and maximum amounts each region can receive from the settlements with Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, Cardinal Health, Amerisource Bergen, and Endo. The more localities across the state that agree to the terms of these different settlements, the more each locality is eligible to receive. The figures below do not include payments from Purdue Pharma or the Sackler family, as the regional split for those settlements are still being finalized. Those funds, as well as any funds from future or ongoing litigation, would be in addition to what is listed below.

New York City Total: $140,173,322.11 – $256,458,972.37

Long Island Total: $139,295,547.73 – $228,312,213.24*

• Nassau County: $63,324,249.44 – $102,163,656.72*
• Suffolk County: $75,971,298.29 – $126,148,556.52*

Hudson Valley: $51,729,983.90 – $94,455,606.10**

• Dutchess County: $3,682,781.87 – $6,433,863.62
• Orange County: $4,360,832.35 – $7,618,425.84
• Putnam County: $996,022.69 – $1,740,063.46
• Rockland County: $2,590,593.17 – $4,525,797.00
• Sullivan County: $1,587,590.46 – $2,773,539.37
• Ulster County: $2,070,408.78 – $3,617,028.70
• Westchester County: $10,678,857.89 – $18,888,019.80***

Capital Region Total: $17,812,303.23 – $32,524,114.04**

• Albany County: $3,237,298.22 – $5,725,907.53***
• Columbia County: $552,101.82 – $964,528.42
• Greene County: $666,825.42 – $1,164,951.91
• Rensselaer County: $1,068,187.17 – $1,866,135.66
• Saratoga County: $1,411,643.69 – $2,466,158.27
• Schenectady County: $1,023,351.66 – $1,787,807.49
• Warren County: $514,587.63 – $898,990.69
• Washington County: $403,409.72 – $704,761.55

North Country Total: $7,917,561.70 – $14,456,955.77**

• Clinton County: $698,974.92 – $1,221,117.47
• Essex County: $308,748.84 – $539,387.88
• Franklin County: $384,453.65 – $671,645.08
• Hamilton County: $25,444.84 – $44,452.44
• Jefferson County: $1,070,668.55 – $1,870,470.66
• Lewis County: $211,096.46 – $368,788.02
• Lawrence County: $1,037,527.98 – $1,812,573.69

Central New York Total: $20,057,166.42 – $36,623,089.16**

• Cayuga County: $759,507.23 – $1,326,868.14
• Cortland County: $454,798.22 – $794,537.89
• Madison County: $681,390.95 – $1,190,398.07
• Onondaga County: $7,333,981.14 – $12,971,834.84***
• Oswego County: $1,302,514.58 – $2,275,508.42

Finger Lakes Region: $28,886,077.70 – $52,744,110.35**

• Genesee County: $597,359.78 – $1,043,594.62
• Livingston County: $570,600.77 – $996,846.31
• Monroe County: $10,883,598.98 – $19,250,151.60***
• Ontario County: $1,101,147.15 – $1,923,717.13
• Orleans County: $347,049.64 – $606,299.83
• Seneca County: $325,185.88 – $568,103.59
• Wayne County: $835,637.20 – $1,459,868.10
• Wyoming County: $346,041.37 – $604,538.38
• Yates County: $208,393.99 – $364,066.77

Southern Tier Total: $14,522,096.97 – $26,516,410.21**

• Broome County: $2,345,856.68 – $4,098,239.44
• Chemung County: $1,035,575.69 – $1,809,163.01
• Chenango County: $434,152.12 – $758,468.91
• Delaware County: $461,798.79 – $806,767.96
• Schuyler County: $175,055.09 – $305,823.32
• Steuben County: $955,885.44 – $1,669,943.21
• Tioga County: $455,900.74 – $796,464.00
• Tompkins County: $989,886.25 – $1,729,343.04

Mohawk Valley Total: $9,527,142.26 – $17,395,945.81**

• Fulton County: $388,419.13 – $678,572.82
• Herkimer County: $553,377.60 – $966,757.23
• Montgomery County: $381,127.27 – $665,833.87
• Oneida County: $2,376,168.34 – $4,151,194.28
• Otsego County: $564,014.67 – $985,340.32
• Schoharie County: $233,494.90 – $407,918.34

Western New York Total: $40,955,315.42 – $74,781,758.10**

• Allegany County: $414,125.56 – $723,482.27
• Cattaraugus County: $744,612.13 – $1,300,846.23
• Chautauqua County: $1,439,743.06 – $2,515,248.20
• Erie County: $16,215,434.58 – $28,680,730.88***
• Niagara County: $2,872,246.71 – $5,017,849.00

* Does not include payments from Endo settlement.

** In addition to sum total of counties, a regional share is also being allocated here.
*** Not all funds going to the county. Also includes funds going directly to a major city within the county.

Separately, but related to her work on opioids, this past February, Attorney General James co-led a coalition of nearly every attorney general in the nation in delivering more than $573 million — more than $32 million of which was earmarked for New York state — toward opioid treatment and abatement in an agreement and consent judgment with McKinsey & Company.

EDITOR' NOTE:

While the 57 counties outside of New York City have been allocated exact amounts of money, the five counties in New York City have not been given set amounts of money. There is just one total for New York City which varies by over 116 million dollars, which is much to less money for New York City when the population figures are taken into account. New York City grew by over half a million people, while it was the rest of the state that lost more population than what was increased in NYC. The loss of population upstate is what caused New York State to lose one congressional seat. New York City deserves a larger amount of this settlement obtained by the New York Attorney General. Where are the elected officials of the Bronx, and New York City?

MICI UNVEILS THREE POINT DIRT BIKE REMEDIATION PLAN

 

Aleksander Mici, candidate for New York City Council in the 13th District in the Bronx, today released his Three Point Dirt Bike Remediation Plan to address the scourge of dirt bikes and other all-terrain vehicles (ATC) in Bronx residential neighborhoods. Aleks Mici said, "I commit to making my Three Point Dirt Bike Remediation Plan the first piece of legislation I introduce as a Member of the New York City Council. Dirt bikes have been a problem for years, but since the beginning of the pandemic they have become the scourge of our Bronx neighborhoods. In Morris Park, where I have my business, they have been disruptive and dangerous for too long, cruising dangerously down main thoroughfares like Morris Park Ave, an artery of local small businesses. Something has to be done. "My plan is designed to enact stricter enforcement and zero tolerance, while also providing licensed riders a designated place of their own. There is no reason we can't crackdown, but also provide solutions for everyone. This plan is an example of how I would represent my constituents: tough, fair and solutions-oriented. I will be an independent voice for our community." Mici's Three Point Dirt Bike Remediation Plan will be his first piece of legislation introduced as a Member of the City Council and contains the following provisions:

Dirt bikes and ATVs have become a "quality of life crisis," according to New York City's likely next Mayor. As reported by THE CITY, "The NYPD is on track to confiscate and crush up to 3,000 illegal ATVs and motorbikes by the end of the year — but defiant riders say they’ll just get more wheels to enjoy the pastime they love."

Governor Hochul Proclaims October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in New York State and Launches Bold, Innovative Initiatives to Help Survivors

 

Governor Announces $6.5 Million in Grants Administered by the State Office of Children and Family Services to Better Assist Survivors of Domestic Violence and Support Prevention Initiatives

State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Launches Domestic Violence and Technology Public Awareness Campaign, Will Host Upcoming Panel Discussion with Leading Experts

Governor Hochul Directs State Landmarks to be Illuminated Purple This Evening to Mark the Start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Proclamation Available Here

 Governor Kathy Hochul today proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and announced $6.5 million in funding that will allow state-licensed service providers to offer survivors of domestic violence and their families with options for assistance and support, instead of relying on shelter-based services, and that will also enhance prevention programs. In addition, Governor Hochul also highlighted a new Technology Safety and Innovation for Survivors public awareness campaign, which will be coordinated by the state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) and will shine a light on technology's role in abuse.

"We have come so far since the time that my mother advocated for domestic violence survivors, but our mission to put an end to the abuse and suffering that too many have had to endure is far from over," Governor Hochul said. "Our systems must evolve and we must continue to offer innovative solutions to meet the needs of survivors and families, wherever they are."

Administered by the state Office of Children and Family Services, the $6.5 million will support two initiatives:

• $4.8 million to 79 service providers statewide to provide housing for domestic violence survivors. 

• $1.7 million to five nonprofit organizations that offer domestic violence prevention programs. Each of these programs will receive $342,380: Retreat, Inc. in East Hampton, the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project, Unity House of Troy, Vera House in Syracuse and Family Justice Center of Erie County.

Governor Hochul also directed the following state landmarks to be illuminated purple tonight to mark the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

• One World Trade Center
• Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct
• MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
• The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
• The Kosciuszko Bridge
• The Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge
• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
• State Education Building
• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
• Albany International Airport Gateway
• The Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex
• The Main Gate and Expo Center at the State Fairgrounds
• Niagara Falls

OPDV's new social media campaign will highlight technology's intersection with domestic violence and spread awareness on the forms of technology-assisted abuse. While technology provides survivors with access to information, safety planning, and allows them to connect with their support systems, abusive partners use it to cause further harm to their partners. In addition to the campaign on Twitter (@NYSOPDV), Facebook (@NYSdomesticviolence) and Instagram (@nysopdv), the agency will sponsor a panel discussion featuring representatives from Facebook, Apple, Norton LifeLock and experts in academia to discuss emerging risks related to technology-assisted abuse, as well as mobile advocacy and other innovations to help survivors.

Scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 20, the discussion, "Balancing Technology Innovation and Safety in the Context of Gender-Based Violence," is designed for service providers, advocates and victim assistance professionals. Later this month, OPDV will also release a new publication to help survivors and advocates understand technology-assisted abuse and provide concrete tools and steps to protect privacy and safety in a digital world. The agency also launched its new website.

Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Sheila J. Poole said, "Our agency is proud to administer this federal grant money to allow providers to fund concrete needs for domestic violence survivors, giving them the resources to attain safe housing. We know that providing families with support and resources is foundational to preventing domestic violence in the first place."

Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Owens said, "Domestic Violence Awareness Month highlights a reality that victims and survivors endure all year long and lets them know that they are not alone. Now more than ever, technology plays an important role in how victims and survivors experience abuse, and how they access domestic violence services. This October we're increasing awareness of technology's importance in transforming and updating service delivery to survivors statewide. We are forever thankful for Governor Hochul'slongstanding commitment and leadership on this important issue."

Office of Victim Services Director Elizabeth Cronin said, "We are so proud of the work we do at OVS to ensure that crime victims receive the support they need and to ensure that domestic violence survivors have the resources they need to find safety and thrive. I commend my state agency colleagues for their work and Governor Hochul for her strong leadership and advocacy on behalf of all victims and survivors of crime and their families."

New York State's Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline is available 27/7: 800-942-6906 (call), 844-997-2121 (text) or @opdv.ny.gov (chat). Last year, the state and local hotlines received 252,535 calls for assistance.

The Office of Victim Services also funds a network of more than 212 community-based programs that provide direct services to victims of crime and their families. The programs also help any victim of crime apply for compensation and other assistance from the agency, which is a safety net for individuals who have no other resources.