Participant Materials

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, domestic violence advocates, survivors and allies will call on New York State lawmakers to support legislation that will keep children safe, increase economic security for survivors and advocates, and increase access to services. We have developed the following social media content to assist in your advocacy efforts.

TAKE ACTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Use the hashtags #StandUpForSurvivors, #SecureFamilies and #SafeChildren in your posts to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media sites. Be sure to @NYSCADV so we can uplift your posts.

Share social media posts directly from NYSCADV social media accounts and/or create your own from the samples below. 

Call and/or email your legislators to urge them to keep children safe and stand up for survivors and the DV programs that support them. (Click here to view 2024 Legislative Priorities)

Sample Posts 

Facebook/LinkedIn/Instagram

• New York State has the highest demand for domestic violence services in the country.  On oneday in New York, while more than 9,000 adult and child victims of domestic violence received services,  1,000 survivors did not due to a lack of funding or resources. We have seen a 62% increase in requests for services since before the pandemic. NYS must stand up for survivors of domestic violence.

• New York’s judges fail to recognize and appropriately respond to DV and child abuse in child custody and visitation proceedings. This has led to several tragedies. In fact, 35 children have been killed by a parent during custody proceedings in New York since 2016. We must require courts to prioritize the safety of children in these cases. Pass Kyra’s Law, which would require the court to hold a prompt hearing when allegations of DV, child abuse or child neglect are made. If the Legislature fails to act, more children’s lives will be tragically harmed or lost.

• DV advocates are essential, frontline workers whose work requires specialized skills and training. It is a 24/7 job, requiring us to meet DV survivors where they are – at the police station, in court or the hospital – to provide critical, life-saving services. DV advocates have never received a cost-of-living adjustment on the contracts we have with New York State. We urge the NYS Legislature to support legislation to include DV advocates in all future COLAs.

• DV abusers often use their victims’ financial information to apply for credit cards, obtain loans, or open financial accounts. These actions can destroy a DV survivor’s credit rating, making it difficult for them to create financial independence. Legislation is needed to ensure survivors are not held liable for this coerced debt and creditors should be required to cease collection activities if they find the debt was coerced. We must end coerced debt! Pass A.1309B/S.2278A!

• Increase access to shelter for all by passing the S.A.F.E (Securing Access to Fair and Equal) Shelter Act! This bill will increase access for single adults survivors, older survivors, and those in historically excluded communities, including LGBTQIA+ survivors. To ensure equity, the State must reimburse DV shelters for double occupancy when a room configured for two individuals is used to house a single individual. Pass the S.A.F.E Shelter Act!

• DV abusers have begun using car navigation systems to track and stalk their victims. We must protect DV survivors from stalking and harassment by remote vehicle technology. DV survivors must have the ability to remove an abuser’s access to remote technology in a car they legally own if they have a valid Order of Protection. Pass A.9616/S.9174!

X/(Twitter)

• New York State has the highest demand for domestic violence services in the country. We have seen a 62% increase in demand for services since before the pandemic. NYS must stand up for survivors of domestic violence.

• New York’s judges fail to recognize and appropriately respond to DV and child abuse in child custody and visitation proceedings. 35 children have been killed by a parent during custody proceedings in New York since 2016. We must require courts to prioritize the safety of children! Pass Kyra’s Law!

• ATTENTION NYS! We have the greatest demand for DV services, and we need the strongest statewide network of DV services in the country.  Increase access to shelter for all by passing the S.A.F.E (Securing Access to Fair and Equal) Shelter Act!

• We must protect DV survivors from stalking and harassment by remote vehicle technology. DV survivors must have the ability to remove an abuser’s access to remote technology in a car they legally own if they have a valid Order of Protection. Pass A.9616/S.9174!

• Support the life-saving work of domestic violence service providers. Include DV advocates in any future COLAs.