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BOROUGH PRESIDENT HOSTS CONFERENCE TO WRAP UP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MONTH

Borough President Marty Markowitz brought together a number of experts in the field of domestic violence today, including Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes, to discuss what can be done to try and tackle this very serious issue.

“For far too long, domestic violence has been a dirty secret,” said the Borough President. “Women and children, who are the vast majority of domestic violence victims, feel shame, guilt, fear, as though it was their fault. I urge you to continue your struggle to build awareness and increase sensitivity regarding this life and death issue, and also to push for legislation for more and better housing, better protection, and the full range of support services that women and children require to permanently escape this cycle of violence.”

“As a society, we must have a zero tolerance policy for domestic violence,” said Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham (2nd from right). “We need strong, enforceable laws that punish the perpetrators of abuse, rather than letting them go home with a slap on the wrist. We must teach children of both genders about relationships based on respect from early childhood. We must define a communal responsibility for intervening and rescuing women and children from abusive homes.”

The panel outlined the challenges facing domestic violence victims and the law enforcement and healthcare agencies that help them, opportunities to overcome these challenges and tried to determine a plan of action for the future.

Wanda Lucibello, Chief of the Kings County Domestic Violence Bureau (3rd from left), moderated the discussion. She has been a prosecutor in the Kings County District Attorney’s office since 1981, and supervises over 100 attorneys and staff members who are responsible for the prosecution of domestic violence and child abuse cases.

From left to right – The Borough President, Sarah Ellis, Director of Grants & Special Programs, Counseling Services Unit, Kings County District Attorney’s office, Wanda Lucibello, Chief of the Kings County Domestic Violence Bureau, Kings County District Attorney’s office, Arlene Markarian, Bureau Chief, Elder Abuse Unit, Kings County District Attorney’s office, Sally

MacNichol, Director of Programs, The Family Violence Project of the Urban Justice Center, Cynthia Dansby, Director, Park Slope Safe Homes Project, Dr. Sandra Scott, Kings County Hospital Center, Deputy Borough President Graham & Myra Ricard, Director, Rosa Parks Crisis Center, Sanctuary for Families.

Participating organizations - Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Park Slope Safe Homes Project, Sanctuary for Families, The Family Violence Project of the Urban Justice Project and The Kings County Hospital Center.