A new initiative in New York state aims to take a stronger stand against domestic violence. 

The state has announced a new “STRIVE” grant (Statewide Targeted Reductions in Violence initiative), designed to offer support to survivors and ensure better resources for both law enforcement and victims’ services.

This falls on the same month as the well-known Vera House White Ribbon Campaign. It is a global movement of men and boys to end male violence against women and girls.

What You Need To Know

  • New York's STIVE grant stands for: Statewide Targeted Reductions in Violence initiative 
  • The $35 million state investment will go to improve the public safety response to intimate partner abuse and domestic violence, and better address the needs of victims and survivors.
  • Law enforcement and service providers in 20 counties outside of the five boroughs will share $23 million to implement evidence-based strategies to enhance the safety of survivors and hold individuals who harm accountable for their actions

With the STRIVE grant, law enforcement, district attorneys and service providers like Vera House in 20 counties across upstate will share $23 million.

“There were many times when I wanted to call the police," said Emmeline Strowman, a domestic abuse survivor. "But the person that I was with, there were threats around that. And I believed those threats. And I was, you know, just too scared to call for help.”

For many survivors, fear often keeps them from seeking help.

“A harassment," said Jarrett Woodfork, chief assistant district attorney and chief of special victims bureau, "can turn into a homicide in the blink of an eye.”

The STRIVE grant focuses on swift and effective action before violence escalates.

“That’s what we have put into our plan that we will," said Tricia Matthews, CEO of Vera House, a domestic abuse survivors advocacy group. "Provide training across the board, to the officers, to the DAs.”

Matthews adds the comprehensive approach includes not only supporting survivors but also addressing the needs of the perpetrators to prevent future violence.

After surviving domestic violence, Strowman now works to help others.

"We want to help people. We want to educate people. We want to provide the safety," said Strowman. "We have the two shelters, and we also want to partner with everyone else in the community.”

The STRIVE funding will help improve the support available for victims and ensure a more coordinated community effort.

“Even if you’re not ready to leave the situation, reach out," said Matthews. "We can help. Safety plan. We can help with the next step.”

The district attorney’s office said they're committed to using the new funding to strengthen prosecutions and provide victims with the necessary support to seek justice.

“To give our victims and survivors, more support and resources," said Onondaga County Chief Assistant DA Jarrett Woodfork, "to end and inter-partner violence and prevent homicides.”

Woodfork mentioned the worst-case scenario a few times — the risks of homicide from a domestic violence occurrence. He said this money will help them now have analytics to find those higher-risk cases in hopes of preventing a horrific outcome. The funding will help these agencies to collaborate instead of operating in silos.

Here's how the funding breaks down:

  • Mid-Hudson Valley: $3,260,470
  • Capital Region: $3,309,659
  • North Country: $647,344
  • Mohawk Valley: $1,564,378
  • Central New York: $2,930,093
  • Southern Tier: $750,767.
  • Finger Lakes: $2,779,586
  • Western New York: $4,131,381

If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation, you can call the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906.