WESTCHESTER COUNTY REMINDS RESIDENTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Office for Women (OFW), Westchester County Police and local police departments closely monitoring Domestic Violence Cases in Westchester County
Westchester County Executive George Latimer, the Westchester County Office for Women (OFW), the Department of Public Safety and local police departments, want to remind victims of domestic violence that they are not alone during the Coronavirus pandemic. In light of recently reported increases in domestic violence crimes in other countries, Westchester County is closely monitoring all domestic violence cases, with some local police departments reporting recent increases in domestic violence allegations. Westchester County is reminding victims that resources and services are available to them at all times; a full list of Help Lines for those seeking assistance is available below.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “The situation that has evolved from the Coronavirus has multiple layers, and with quarantine measures forcing people to stay inside their homes, it is understandable that victims of domestic violence are feeling vulnerable right now. As we all do our best to prevent the spread of this disease, domestic violence victims may be finding it difficult to find a safe haven. Our Office for Women is continuing to provide compassionate care around the clock to those who need assistance.”
Director of the Office for Women Robi Schlaff said: “Social distancing and sheltering in place policies have unique and potentially dangerous consequences for victims and their children. We continue to work with law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, our partner domestic violence service agencies to remotely offer a wide range of services to all victims and their families, including safety planning, legal assistance, help with orders of protection and strategies to stay safe.”
Westchester County Commissioner of Public Safety Thomas A. Gleason said: “This is an especially vulnerable time for persons at risk of domestic violence. I urge anyone who has been victimized, or feels at increased risk, to reach out for help. The law enforcement community, and the many organizations and advocates dedicated to this issue, remain unwavering in our commitment to provide assistance to those who need it.”
Pound Ridge Police Chief David Ryan, Head of the Domestic Violence Committee for the Westchester County Police Chiefs said: “While some law enforcement agencies have seen a slight uptick in domestic violence related calls, we are carefully evaluating the relationship between Domestic Violence and Mental Health in some of these cases. I have spoken with Robi Schlaff from the County Office for Women, Fred Green at the Special Prosecutions of the DA's Office, and we are looping in the Department of Community Mental Health and Westchester Medical Center to provide the resources necessary where they are needed. I am confident that law enforcement will meet the challenges presented in these situations, but now more than ever before we need our other partners as well due to challenging manpower issues we face at every level.”
The following Help Lines are available:
WESTCHESTER COUNTY OFFICE FOR WOMEN (OFW) (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday)
White Plains --- 914-955-5972 (English)
914-995-6581 (Spanish)
Yonkers --- 914-231-2882
FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER (FJC) --- is closed. For assistance, call 914-995-1880.
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (DSS) District Offices will remain open for emergency walk-in assistance as needed, using appropriate social distancing.
HOPE’S DOOR (24/7) --- 888-438-8700
LEGAL SERVICES OF THE HUDSON VALLEY (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday)
White Plains --- 914-949-1305, press 0 for the operator or x100 / 127
Intake --- 877-574-8529
Goshen --- 845-495-4305 x231 Kingston --- 845-331-9373 x500
Monticello --- 845-495-4305 x231
Mount Vernon --- 914-813-6811
Newburgh --- 845-569-9110 x200 / 212
Peekskill --- 914-402-2192 x193 / 159
Poughkeepsie --- 845-471-0058 x400
Spring Valley --- 845-476-3831 x180 / 162 Yonkers --- 914-376-3757, press 0 for the operator
The LOFT: LGBT Community Services Center (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday)
Helpline 914-948-2932 x13 / loftgaycenter.com
MAKE THE ROAD NEW YORK (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday)
914-948-8466 --- Services include Immigration Legal, Family Law Legal, Employment Legal, Health Advocacy / Coronavirus resources: www.coronavirus-ny.org
MY SISTERS’ PLACE
Hotline (24/7) --- 800-298-7233
Intake --- 914-358-0333 - counseling, safety planning, advocacy
Legal Intake --- 914-683-1333 or 914-358-0333 - family law or immigration
PACE WOMEN’S JUSTICE CENTER (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday)
Legal Helpline --- 914-287-0739
Legal Clinic --- 914-422-4188
PROBATION DEPARTMENT - 914-995-4762 White Plains
Probation is processing Orders of Protection and emergency petitions requiring immediate Court access between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
PUTNAM NORTHERN WESTCHESTER WOMEN’S SHELTER
Hotline (24/7) --- 845-628-2166
VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SERVICES OF WESTCOP
Helpline (24/7) 914-345-9111 / press #2 for Spanish
WESTCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER
Sexual Assault Abuse and Victims Empowerment (SAAVE) Program 24/7 Rape Crisis Hotline - 833-220-2444
WOMEN’S ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CENTER (WEDC)
Small business information & help --- www.wedcbiz.org
For general questions:
WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HOTLINE --- 866.588.0195
WESTCHESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY --- 914-864-7600
UNITED WAY 2-1-1 / www.uwwp.org
NYS COVID19 HOTLINE --- 888-364-3065 / 855-626-7662
NY STATEWIDE CHILD ABUSE REGISTRY --- 800-342-3720 / https://ocfs.ny.gov/main/cps/
