Governor Hochul Announces Domestic Violence Prevention Training for Department of Environmental Conservation and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Staff

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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) will create, develop and launch a training program for employees of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Department of Environmental Preservation. This partnership between state agencies recognizes the importance of engaging and training non-traditional allies to identify and respond to any victim who needs assistance, with the aim of providing better access to safety, resources and support to save lives.

“Domestic violence is something that I have worked to prevent throughout my life, and with my mother I started a halfway house for survivors and their families,” Governor Hochul said. “As governor, I will continue to enact policies that not only provide government employees with the training they need to help identify cases of domestic violence and help protect survivors, but help make it happen. ‘New York State a safer place for everyone. “

OPDV will scale up the training with the goal of delivering it before the spring of 2022, when many of the state’s parks, campgrounds and recreation areas, which serve millions of customers each year, reopen for the season. In addition to involving new state partners in the fight to end domestic and gender-based violence, the training advances the state’s work to transform the service delivery system across the country. New York State into a survivor-centered, trauma-informed and culturally sensitive system. for all victims and survivors.

The training will cover the dynamics of all forms of gender-based violence so that DEC and Parks employees in contact with the public are better equipped to respond to incidents and help those who need help. By expanding the availability of assistance beyond the existing network of traditional service providers, survivors will know they can get help accessing the resources they need, regardless of the system or public service. which they access.

OPDV Executive Director Kelli Owens said: “We need to start engaging more allies in the GBV prevention effort. It only takes one person to make a difference in the life of a survivor. When all parts of public systems understand the impact and consequences of gender-based violence, especially with regard to marginalized communities, we increase the likelihood that an individual will find a way out of the violence. I thank Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to preventing domestic violence and for her leadership in ensuring that survivors have the support they need. “

To address domestic violence and create safety for all victims, it is essential to better understand domestic violence in all systems, the cultural intersections of domestic and sexual violence and the challenges facing individuals, especially those from marginalized communities, are confronted to access services. This training will explore these intersections and engage with organizations that specifically help people in traditionally underserved communities and are led by people with those voices.

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation estimates that approximately 450 public-contact staff will undergo training, while another 100 DEC staff who regularly interact with the public will be trained. In addition, state park police, DEC Environmental Conservation Police (ECO) officers, and rangers will continue to receive training to recognize signs of domestic violence in their interactions with the public. . Rangers and ECOs interact with thousands of visitors to state lands and sites each year, including Adirondack and Catskill Parks.

State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said: “Training with the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence will strengthen our state’s response to domestic and gender-based violence – and support our work to help everyone feel safe and welcome when visiting our parks. of state. I commend Governor Hochul for her proactive approach. to end domestic violence and its unwavering support for its survivors. “

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said: “Governor Hochul has been a staunch advocate for victims of domestic violence her entire life. Inspired by her mother’s work with survivors of domestic violence, the governor gained an in-depth understanding of domestic violence issues and the resources and strategies needed to effectively combat it. With an increase in domestic violence due in part to the pandemic, it is imperative that we increase our ability to recognize and prevent these incidents. DEC is proud to partner with the State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and our colleagues from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to better educate and equip people who regularly interact with the public with training and tools needed to identify domestic violence before it’s too late. ”

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual parks, historic sites, recreational trails and boat ramps, which are visited by 78 million people each year. Visit parcs.ny.gov for more information.

The Department of Environmental Conservation manages and oversees nearly five million acres of public land. DEC operates 52 campgrounds and five day-use areas in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Reserves which offer a wide variety of experiences to visitors.

The Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence is the only executive-level state agency in the country dedicated to the issue of domestic violence. The state’s domestic and sexual violence hotline is available 24/7: 800-942-6906 (call), 844-997-2121 (text) or @ opdv.ny.gov (cat). Last year, national and local hotlines received more than 250,000 calls for help.

The Victim Services Office also funds a network of more than 212 community programs that provide direct services to victims of crime and their families. The programs also help any victim of crime to seek compensation and other help from the agency, providing a safety net for those without other resources.

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