Senator Charles E. Schumer

En Español \| Search



			Contact Chuck Send Chuck an email using our webform

			Schedule a Tour Plan your trip to Washington D.C.

			Chuck around New York See what Chuck has been doing in your area lately


			Medicare Help Help for problems dealing with Medicare

			Tax Time Assistance Resources to help with federal taxes and the IRS


			Veterans Assistance Help for those who have served our nation


			Grants Assistance Guide to applying for federal grants

			Foreclosure Help Foreclosure related assistance

			Services for New Yorkers For help cutting through the federal government’s red tape

Printer-friendly Version

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 5, 2009

SCHUMER: OVER 25,000 LI AND UPSTATE NY WOMEN WERE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAST YEAR; OUTLINES PLAN TO BEEF UP LOCAL ENFORCEMENT, KEEP OFFENDERS BEHIND BARS, AND INCREASE RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS

Plan Will Increase Resources To Local Law Enforcement To Catch Violent Offenders - Batterers Who Are Not Apprehended Are Likely To Become Repeat Offenders

Schumer's Plan Would Ensure That Victims Have Access To Vital Health and Support Services - Currently Local Programs Turn Away Thousands Due To Lack Of Resources

New Schumer Analysis Shows Over 60,000 Instances of Domestic Violence Were Reported In Long Island And Upstate New York in 2008

Today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer released statistics demonstrating that domestic violence remains a devastating scourge in communities across New York State, and outlined his plan to ensure that victims, law enforcement agencies, and prosecutors have access to the resources they need to properly respond. Schumer announced his support for legislation that increases the minimum sentence for those convicted of aggravated sexual abuse to five years. Additional legislation – likely to be included as part of health care reform – would prevent insurance companies from engaging in the disturbing practice of discriminating against women who have been victims of domestic violence based on the assumption that they will need more doctors and hospital visits than the average person. Schumer also announced that he will request an additional $35 million in funding for the enormously successful Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors (STOP) Grant program that provides critical resources to local law enforcement and court personnel to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of violent crimes against women.

“We must send an unequivocal message that violence against women -- and all domestic violence -- has no place in our society. And we also must aggressively and relentlessly pursue those who commit these awful crimes,” Schumer said. “If you look at the New York numbers, it is clear that we need to address this problem now more than ever, and to make sure that our law enforcement agencies have the resources they need, and that victims get the help they deserve.”

Schumer said that Domestic Violence is an increasingly critical problem in New York and across the country and one that is not limited by physical abuse or gender. Abuse can be emotional, sexual or economic and it can affect both women and men. Studies show that one in four women will be raped, assaulted by a partner, or become a victim of sexual or domestic violence at some point in their lifetime. Additionally, every year, hundreds of thousands of men suffer from abusive relationships and violent situations. According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 30.5 percent of men younger than 55 and 26.5 percent of older men said they had been victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives.

There were over 60,000 instances of domestic violence across upstate New York and Long Island last year, according to Schumer’s report. Of that, over 25,000 were cases of women being abused by their spouse or partner. Other instances of domestic violence occurred against men, children, and parents – full data is included in the attached report. This is how the numbers break down across the state

· In the Capital Region, approximately 9,400 incidences of domestic violence were reported in 2008.

· In Western New York, approximately 10,600 incidences of domestic violence were reported in 2008.

· In the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region, approximately 5,900 incidences of domestic violence were reported in 2008.

· In Central New York, approximately 9,100 incidences of domestic violence were reported in 2008.

· In the North Country, approximately 4,300 incidences of domestic violence were reported in 2008.

· In the Southern Tier, approximately 4,500 incidences of domestic violence were reported in 2008.

· In the Hudson Valley, approximately 11,500 incidences of domestic violence were reported in 2008.

· In Long Island, approximately 8,900 incidences of domestic violence were reported in 2008.

Domestic violence is the result of many problems, and there's no one solution. However, increased resources for law enforcement can help lead to a reduction in incidence and the severity of re-assault. Studies show that batterers who are not apprehended are more likely to become repeat offenders and that suspects who flee are less likely to be arrested unless law enforcement has sufficient specialized, trained staff. Research also indicates that training for law enforcement officers on the dynamics of sexual and domestic violence can improve officers’ interactions with victims and enhance the victims’ participation with the justice system.

Without responsive law enforcement and prosecution, crimes such as domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking may be overlooked or poorly addressed. Better-trained law enforcement officers and greater access to resources can help victims escape from dangerous situations and recover from abuse.

Today Schumer announced that he will be taking three important steps to address this problem in New York State and across the country:

1. Requesting the conference committee tasked with combined the House and Senate versions of the Commerce, Justice Science appropriations bills to provide an additional $35 million to Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors (STOP) Grant program created by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This funding goes to local governments to create specialized domestic violence units in police departments and prosecutors office and to beef up anti-domestic violence enforcement. Schumer said that this program has been enormously successful over the last decade, but has been historically underfunded. Schumer emphasized that enforcement is extremely important, because studies show that batterers who are not apprehended are more likely to become repeat offendersand that suspects who flee are less likely to be arrested unless law enforcement has sufficient specialized, trained staff. Schumer said it is critical to catch offenders after the first offense, to prevent the problem from escalating – a misdemeanor arrest may turn out to be homicide protection.

2. Pushing the Improving Assistance to Domestic and Sexual Violence Victims Act, Sponsored by Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy. The bill makes technical and other amendments to several areas of the current law to improve the administration and effectiveness of the Violence Against Women Act. Additionally, this bill includes a mandatory minimum of five-years for aggravated sexual abuse.

3. Pushing the Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act, sponsored by Senator Patty Murray. The billprotects women from being penalized by insurance companies for being abused. In Idaho, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota and Wyoming it is legal for health insurance companies to deny coverage – or charge higher premiums - for an applicant with a suspected history of domestic violence. Schumer said that enacting this measure into law as part of health care reform would be an additional layer of protection for New York women.

###