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Letter from the Commissioner

Dear Colleagues:

As we continue to comply with New York’s “Stay At Home” directive, I know that we are all anxious to safely return to work and our normal routines. Until then, our community will continue to work together to find creative, unique, and impactful ways to help our clients during these increasingly challenging times for them; and ENDGBV will continue to share with you our efforts to reach survivors.

We are leveraging our resources with City agency partners and program providers to amplify our messaging through our agency website, the NYC HOPE Resource Directory at www.nyc.gov/nychope, and our social media channels that help is available for survivors. I am also happy to share with you that the Notify NYC system has been sending out weekly messages to the public on survivor resources since April 6, 2020, resulting in a significant increase of visits and calls to the NYC HOPE website and the City’s domestic violence hotline.

We are continuing to spread awareness through special events, public outreach, and engagement. Some of these activities include:

  • Launching a COVID-19 public service announcement featuring First Lady Chirlane McCray;
  • Collaborating on a web-based town hall sponsored by Univision on April 15th ;
  • Participating in a webinar hosted by NYC Council Member Rory Lancman where COVID-19 resources for the public were discussed with his constituents;
  • Releasing a press release highlighting our COVID-19 services with providers, elected officials, and City agencies. And a wide variety of media outlets have covered our efforts, including CNN, NY1, CBS News (digital), NEWS12 Bronx, WNBC Channel 4, Telemundo 47, the NY Post, Gothamist, and more; and
  • Expanding our social media outreach to paid social advertising on Facebook and Google Search.

We are also engaging our city agency partners to amplify our messaging about survivor resources; partnering with sister agencies such as the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to provide survivor-focused COVID-19 materials at targeted meal pick-up locations throughout the City, and with New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to distribute flyers at housing developments citywide. In addition, we are working closely with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice and local District Attorney’s offices to ensure outreach occurs in their interactions with complainants. We have also developed guidance and best practices for law enforcement on remote safety planning and risk assessment for survivors for partners such as the New York Police Department (NYPD).  

As you continue to assist your clients during this health crisis, please do not forget to be kind to yourself and to practice self-care. ENDGBV launched a weekly “Wellness Wednesdays” email series for our own staff members to promote self-care and a forum to exchange ideas like returning to a long-forgotten passion project, renewing an exercise routine, developing new friendships with work colleagues by sharing fun photos, healthy recipes, relaxation techniques, and more. If you are experiencing stress or feeling anxious, please reach out for help. You can find support through NYC Well by calling 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355) or texting “WELL” to 65173.

Thank you for your continued partnership. I wish you and your loved ones good health and safety.

Sincerely,
Cecile Noel
Commissioner, Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence