PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Janine Guzzone, Senior Development Manager at Crime Victims Treatment Center on Intro 565
3:11:31
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143 sec
Janine Guzzone from the Crime Victims Treatment Center testified in support of Intro 565, which provides guidance to domestic violence survivors on making their voter registration records confidential. She emphasized the importance of this bill in protecting survivors' privacy and restoring their ability to participate safely in the democratic process.
- The Crime Victims Treatment Center has been providing free services to victims of interpersonal violence since 1977, including crisis intervention, therapy, and advocacy.
- Intro 565 would bridge the gap in awareness by providing vital information and assistance to individuals receiving services at Family Justice Centers.
- The bill addresses the fear and pressure that survivors may face when exercising their right to vote, helping to restore their autonomy and safety in the voting process.
Janine Guzzone
3:11:31
Good afternoon, committee chair wrestler and members of the governmental operations state and federal legislation committee.
3:11:38
My name is Janine Gazzone, and I'm the senior development manager at the Crime Victims Treatment Center.
3:11:42
I appreciate this opportunity to speak today to request your support of 565 sponsored by council member Brewer.
3:11:49
The Crime Victims Treatment Center has provided healing services to victims of interpersonal violence completely free of charge since 1977, and we've been at the forefront of this work since our inception.
3:11:59
Our services include crisis intervention and emergency departments across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, individual and group trauma focused therapy, legal advocacy, complimentary therapy, and psychiatric consultation at our offices in the Financial District, and sexual assault and domestic domestic violence prevention training and community education in all 5 boroughs.
3:12:16
We have worked with tens of thousands of domestic violence survivors for nearly 50 years and counting.
3:12:21
This bill is critical for survivors of domestic violence as it provides them with guidance on making their voter registration records confidential.
3:12:28
While governor Hochul has made it easier for survivors to secure this confidentiality, many are still unaware of these resources and the steps necessary to secure their voting privacy.
3:12:37
This crucial bill will bridge the gap by providing vital information and assistance to individuals receiving services at FJC's, Family Justice Centers.
3:12:45
Survivors of domestic violence experience a loss of agency, freedom, and independence across many areas of their lives.
3:12:50
This can be physical, emotional, financial, educational, medical, or religious.
3:12:52
Emotional, financial, educational, medical, or religious.
3:12:56
We hear these concerns from many of our clients and work alongside them to restore control and autonomy however we safely can.
3:13:02
With regards to this bill specifically, survivors may feel that they can't freely and safely exercise their right to vote, or feel pressure to vote the way their abuser wants them to, even if it goes against their beliefs.
3:13:10
The fear of their abuser discovering how they voted hinders survivors from participating in democracy.
3:13:13
By signing on to this legislation, the city council can play a pivotal role in ensuring these survivors can vote without trusted advocate for laws and services that protect and improve the lives of domestic violence survivors.
3:13:40
Defending voting rights and making voting more accessible are concrete ways to restore choice and power to people for whom it has been stripped.
3:13:48
I appreciate your time and consideration.
3:13:49
It is vital that we protect the privacy and safety of those who need it most.
3:13:52
Thank you for your service to the people of New York City.
Lincoln Restler
3:13:55
Thank you so much.
