Domestic Violence

October 2011 marks the 30th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence is a public health crisis that affects us all. Despite our successes in reducing crime around our City, domestic violence has resisted that downward trend and continues to present a serious threat to residents around our borough. Last year, nearly 5,500 domestic violence cases were filed in Manhattan courthouse, an increase from prior years. Additionally, the New York City Police Department receives approximately 700 domestic abuse complaints every day, but only an estimated one-quarter to one-half of all incidents of domestic violence are ever reported to the police. Domestic violence abusers are frequently repeat offenders. According to the New York City Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence, 38 percent of battered women are victimized again within 6 months. Sixty-six percent of domestic violence victims who have been killed experienced prior incidences of abuse that were never reported to the police.

On October 4, 2011, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced the sentencing of Laurence Harvey, a former Department of Education official, to 25 years in prison following his conviction for a pattern of aggravated sexual abuse of a woman (see press release) and on March 23, 2011, a man was indicted for murdering his wife at a midtown hair salon (see press release).

Current penalties for repeat domestic abusers do not adequately reflect the seriousness of these crimes. As a result of outdated New York State domestic violence laws, many repeat offenders could face the same sentence on their hundredth conviction as they would on their first. To address the serious problem of repeated domestic violence, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, along with elected officials, members of law enforcement, and advocates for victims of domestic violence, is calling for the passage of the bipartisan Aggravated Domestic Violence bill, which would create a class E felony charge for offenders who repeatedly engage in domestic violence offenses. With reforms to our Penal Law, families will be better protected from the threat of domestic violence.

Under the proposed bill, which last year passed the State Assembly but not the State Senate, an offender who is convicted of two or more qualifying misdemeanor offenses within 5 years against a member of his or her family or household may be charged with a class-E felony. This includes abuse against intimate partners, non-traditional familial relationships, and adult children abusing parents. With an E felony conviction, the defendant would, at a minimum, be under probation supervision for 5 years, and in more serious cases, could and should be sent to state prison. This law would also better protect families by extending the period of time for orders of protection because felony orders last almost twice as long as those from misdemeanor cases. On June 13, 2011, District Attorney Vance testified before the City Council, urging it to pass a resolution in support of this bill.Read District Attorney Vance’s testimony here.

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office will host several domestic violence presentations in the month of October at various locations in Manhattan, including barbershops in the Washington Heights and Inwood communities, to educate the public on the consequences of domestic violence. Upcoming presentations include:

• October 4, 2011, 6 p.m., Jacob A. Riis Community Center: Domestic Violence presentation
• October 11, 2011, 6 p.m., Baruch Community Center: Domestic Violence presentation
• October 12, 2011, 7 p.m.: Manhattan Borough President’s Domestic Violence event in Times Square
• October 20, 2011, 6:30 p.m., 10 Stanton Street: Domestic Violence presentation
• October 25, 2011, 6 p.m., Campos Plaza Community Center: Domestic Violence presentation
• October 27, 2011, 2 p.m., Hamilton-Madison House: Domestic Violence presentation
• October 27, 2011, 6 p.m., Adam Clayton State Office building: We All Really Matter (W.A.R.M.) Domestic Violence Panel

Click here for the Aggravated Domestic Violence Fact Sheet

Click here to read the Domestic Violence Bill

Click here to read District Attorney Vance’s Op-Ed in the New York Daily News

Click here to access resources for victims of domestic violence.

Click here for a detailed schedule of upcoming events and informational sessions on domestic violence.

Those seeking immediate assistance can call the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence hotline at 212-335-4308 or dial 911.