President of UN General Assembly, NYC Commissioners meet community-based organizations helping violence survivors at Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Manhattan Family Justice Center

23 November 2022 – The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, and New York City Commissioners Cecile Noel and Edward Mermelstein met with community-based organizations assisting survivors of domestic and gender-based violence (GBV.) The discussions took place at the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) Manhattan Family Justice Center, one of five New York City borough-based holistic service centers providing free and confidential social services including safety planning, case management, help accessing housing and shelter, mental health counseling for children and adults, civil legal services, and criminal justice assistance for survivors and their children.

The visit to the Manhattan Family Justice Center on 22 November comes ahead of the start of the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” campaign and coincides with the signing of two bills in support of survivors by Mayor Eric.

“This was a very emotional discussion. Regaining the dignity for survivors and their children is a top priority,” said the President of the 77th session of the General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi.

The President expressed his intention to bring good examples, such as the community-based approach he saw at the Family Justice Center, to the attention of the United Nations Member States.

“We thank President of the United Nations General Assembly Kőrösi  for joining ENDGBV to share best practices in addressing domestic and gender-based violence,” said Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Commissioner Cecile Noel. “We are proud to provide insight into the City’s coordinated, holistic approach serving the unique needs of survivors which helps move survivors from crisis to safety and healing. This week, we begin our ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign and our partnership with the United Nations further strengthens efforts to ensure survivors everywhere know they are never alone, help is available.”

“Our Administration is committed to building strong relationships between NYC and the United Nations. Under the leadership of Mayor Eric Adams, New York City is proud to collaborate with local and global partners to ensure we exchange knowledge to accelerate solutions to end domestic and gender-based violence while protecting the rights of survivors. The time to act is now,” said Edward Mermelstein, NYC Commissioner for International Affairs.

During the visit, the General Assembly President and the NYC Commissioners met with representatives of local community-based organizations: Arab American Support Center, Sanctuary for Families, Safe Horizon, and the Urban Resource Institute.

The representatives reiterated the importance of not passing judgment on survivors and allowing them to choose the best option for them and their families. They also discussed the importance of building trust and educating individuals about domestic and gender-based violence.

Earlier that day, Mayor Adams signed two bills in support of ending GBV in the city:

  • Int. 153-A – A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing a housing stability program for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.
  • Int. 154-A – A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) office to end domestic and gender-based violence to create an online services portal and guide.

Today’s tour also helps announce   the City’s annual “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign” which kicks off later this week as lead by ENDGBV, the NYC Commission on Gender Equity (CGE), and the Mayor’s Office of Equity (MOE). The international campaign which starts November 25, on International Day to End Violence against Women, and ends December 10, on Human Rights Day not only encourages New Yorkers to learn more about the consequences of gender-based violence but it also urges government, community, corporate, and philanthropic sectors to take concrete and impactful actions to eliminate GBV.

To learn more, to join the campaign, and to help share the resources and services available to survivors throughout New York City please go to the 16 Days website at www.nyc.gov/16days

To learn more about the international campaign, visit https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/16-days-of-activism

PHOTOS

Photos from the visit are available from UN Photo at https://dam.media.un.org/Share/a5ma1d1e1r5844oiu412k2mcdcaf2u78