Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein proclaims the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Ulster County. In order to bring awareness to this serious issue, the County Office Building and the cupola at the Crime Victim’s Unit Office at 1 Pearl Street in Kingston will once again be lit purple to shine the light on domestic violence and highlight the services available to victims. In addition, domestic violence awareness banners will be hung at the County Building and in front of the Ulster County Department of Social Services with a number people can call for help and there are four billboards displayed through the County to raise awareness.
The Ulster County Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence will be sponsoring a Forum, which is open to the public and will be held on October 17, 2014 at SUNY Ulster featuring keynote speakers Natalie Merchant and Jon Bowermaster who will present their concert/film “Shelter.” The forum will also consist of speakers from various Ulster County Agencies.
Domestic violence is a national issue that occurs within all age groups, ethnic backgrounds and income levels and can include physical, sexual, psychological an economic abuse and is carried out by one intimate partner against another. Approximately 42.4 million women in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. In Ulster County, the number of domestic violence victims reported in 2013 was more than 700.
“It’s critical to raise awareness of the national problem of domestic violence which affects millions of families,” said County Executive Hein. “By shining the light on domestic violence we are letting Ulster County residents know that they are not alone and there is help and resources are available. The Family of Woodstock’s Domestic Violence Program has a twenty-four hour hotline which can be reached by calling 845-338-2370. Ulster County also has many resources available through the Department of Social Services and Crime Victim’s Unit and I urge anyone in need of help to reach out, whether it is the individual themselves or family members. We will soon be adding another Crime Victim Counselor to our Crime Victim Assistance Program allowing us to enhance services to innocent Ulster County crime victims.”
“I want to thank the Ulster County Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence who has continued their mission to end domestic violence and educate the community,” continued Executive Hein. “They work tirelessly to end the cycle of abuse affecting so many families.”
Mike Iapoce, Commissioner of the Ulster County Department of Social Services and Chair of the Ulster County Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence stated, “County Executive Hein continues to support and encourage the Council's mission to raise awareness and educate the community about domestic violence services and prevention. By hosting the 2nd Annual Domestic Violence Information Forum at SUNY Ulster, distributing educational information to the County’s work force through payroll flyers, and arranging for four billboards throughout the County in partnership with Clear Channel Outdoor, Ulster County is raising public awareness of the need to end domestic violence.”
“We can all take responsibility for helping to bring about change and keeping our friends and colleagues safe from domestic violence,” said Kathy Moretti, Director of Family of Woodstock’s Domestic Violence Services. “On behalf of the survivors we serve, I would like to thank County Executive Hein for his on-going support and leadership in helping to bring about change in Ulster County and therefore giving a voice to survivors alive and passed. We all need to be vocal and take the County Executive’s lead in that there is zero tolerance for Domestic Violence in Ulster County. I encourage all victims to take the first step toward safety and freedom by picking up the phone and calling our 24 hour hotline at 845-338-2370.
Other initiatives planned by members of the Ulster County Interagency Council on Domestic Violence include:
- CLOTHESLINE PROJECT ART EXHIBIT OCTOBER 1-31st displaying artwork from domestic violence survivors sharing their stories at the County Office Building.
- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INFORMATION FORUM October 17th (8:30 am – 12:30 pm) to include speakers from various Ulster County Agencies and the Keynote speakers Natalie Merchant and Jon Bowermaster who will present the Concert/Film SHELTER. The Forum will be held at SUNY ULSTER, Stone Ridge Campus. For more information and to register please contact Nancy Schmidt at 340 3482 or Maddy Miller at 340-3443.
Some of the resources available in Ulster County for victims of domestic abuse include the Family Domestic Violence Services hotline, which can be reached 24 hours-a-day at 845-338-2370, and the Ulster County Crime Victim Assistance Program, which can be reached at 845-340-3443. These programs provide counseling, shelter, as well as legal and financial support for victims. For more information regarding the Crime Victims Assistance Program please visit its website at: http://ulstercountyny.gov/probation/crime-victim-assistance.
