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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sonyong Lee, Bilingual Counselor at Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC)
1:26:36
ยท
137 sec
Sonyong Lee, a bilingual counselor at the Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC), testified about the challenges faced by immigrant survivors of gender-based violence in accessing mental health care, especially those with disabilities. She highlighted the lack of culturally competent mental health providers and called for increased support and resources for disabled Asian New Yorkers who are survivors of violence.
- KAFSC provides various support services for immigrant survivors of gender-based violence, including crisis response, counseling, and legal support.
- Lee emphasized the need for crisis response services that are inclusive of people with disabilities and language needs.
- She urged the city to invest in preventive community-based care and partner with trusted community organizations to effectively reach and support survivors.
Sonyong Lee
1:26:36
Shall I begin?
1:26:38
Okay.
1:26:39
Good afternoon Chair Linda Lee and Chair Mercedes Narcis and members of the committees.
1:26:44
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
1:26:47
My name is Son Young Lee and I serve as the bilingual counselor of the Korean American Family Service Center, also known as KAFSC.
1:26:57
We support immigrant survivors of gender based violence through trauma informed, culturally and linguistically accessible services, including twenty four hour crisis response, counseling, housing, legal support, and economic empowerment programs.
1:27:14
Every day, we work with the survivors who are living with a trauma related disabilities, depression and anxiety, PTSD, and other long term mental health challenges resulting from abuse, sexual violence, and chronic isolation.
1:27:31
For immigrant survivors, especially those with a limited English proficiency, accessing mental health care is already hard.
1:27:40
For those with disabilities, it's nearly impossible.
1:27:44
Culturally incompetent mental health providers who understand both trauma and disability are severely lacking.
1:27:52
And for our clients, the fear of stigma, deportation, and being misunderstood often outweighs the hope of getting help.
1:28:02
KFC is a proud member of the Asian American Mental Health Roundtable convened by AAF.
1:28:09
Together, we are calling on the city to, number one, prioritize mental health resource for disabled Asian New Yorkers who are survivors of violence.
1:28:20
Number two, ensure that crisis response services are inclusive of people with disabilities and language needs.
1:28:30
Number three, partner with a trusted community based organizations like ours who can reach and support these survivors effectively.
1:28:39
We we urge the city to invest in preventive community based care that meets survivors where they are before their trauma becomes a lifetime barrier.
1:28:49
Thank you for allowing us to speak on this critical issue.
1:28:53
Thank you.