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TESTIMONY
Testimony: Lauren Schuster, Vice President of Government Affairs at Urban Resource Institute on Domestic Violence
1:29:57
ยท
3 min
Lauren Schuster, Vice President of Government Affairs at Urban Resource Institute, testifies about the severe impact of domestic violence, particularly on women, in NYC. Highlighting the disproportionate effects on Black and Hispanic communities, Shuster presents data on domestic violence homicides and felony assaults. A recent tragic case is shared to exemplify these impacts. The testimony concludes with a call to action for community-led solutions, centered around equity and survivor voices, to address and prevent domestic violence.
Speaker 14
1:29:57
Hi, everybody.
1:29:58
I'm Lauren Shuster, the vice president of Government Affairs at Urban Resource Institute.
1:30:02
Thank you so much for the opportunity to present testimony today Yurai is the largest provider of domestic violence, temporary housing for survivors in their families in the country.
1:30:13
We are a leading provider of temporary housing for families experiencing homelessness.
1:30:18
Domestic violence poses a serious and growing threat.
1:30:21
To public health and safety.
1:30:23
Though TV does not discriminate based on gender identity or sexual orientation here in New York and across the country, Women continue to be disproportionately impacted by DV between 20102022.
1:30:35
Women accounted for 77% of all victims of domestic violence homicides in New York City while accounting for only little more than half of the overall population and the rates of Domestic violence, homicides, and felony assaults have increased between the 1 year period of 2021 to 2022.
1:30:52
DV homicides increased citywide by 29% with a 225% increase in Brooklyn and a 57% increase in the Bronx.
1:31:02
Just this past weekend in the Bronx, Saidea Bonilla, a forty year old black woman was shot and killed by her former partner, an individual who allegedly was stalking her.
1:31:11
And who Saidah's family reported had been abusing her throughout their relationship.
1:31:15
The individual also shot Saidah's young nephews, age sixteen and nine, A domestic violence homicide like this one has long lasting impacts that ripple out throughout generations of families and communities.
1:31:28
These children, their families, and the families of everyone involved, including friends, neighbors, and members of the community, will be grappling with the physical, emotional, and psychological critical impact of this tragic situation for years to come, and black women like Saeta continue to be disproportionately impacted by domestic violence The same is true for Hispanic women like many other persistent public health problems.
1:31:51
DV impacts marginalized communities in far more significant ways.
1:31:56
And as like other growing health problems, the city has a responsibility to mobilize resources to slow the rates of domestic violence.
Speaker 1
1:32:04
You could wrap it up.
1:32:05
Thank you.
Speaker 14
1:32:06
I will.
1:32:07
We can invest we can stop domestic violence by investing in community led solutions that center equity in the voices of survivors and impacted communities.
1:32:15
We must invest in violence prevention that is designed to address family violence like youth, violence prevention, and healthy relationship education, trauma informed accountability work for people who have caused harm and workforce development and economic empowerment services.
1:32:31
For survivors and their family.
1:32:33
We look forward to continuing to partner with the council on this important work.
1:32:37
Thank you again for the opportunity to testify today.
Speaker 1
1:32:40
Thank you.
Speaker 3
1:32:44
Thank you so much.
1:32:46
Rosemary Martinez, you will be testifying next and I will note that you will be testifying on behalf of yourself as well as then followed by reading a testimony for Tatiana Behar.
1:32:56
You YOU MAY BEGIN ONCE YOU ARE IMMuted AND THE SURGENT ACCUSED YOU.
Speaker 0
1:33:02
STARTING TIME.