Advocacy & Policy

Photo courtesy William Alatriste, New York City Council 

"Safe Horizon has been an invaluable advocate for change in the justice system, helping us develop innovative solutions to meet the
challenges that victims of violence encounter in court and beyond."

-- Judith S. Kaye, Chief Justice of the State of New York (ret.) 

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Safe Horizon's Government Affairs office advances public policy initiatives on behalf of victims of violence and abuse. Through legislation, budget initiatives and regulatory advocacy, the Government Affairs office strives to create new avenues to safety for our clients.

On the legislative front, the Government Affairs office is working to pass statewide laws that would:

• Expand the State’s DNA databank to solve violent crimes and to prevent new violence from taking place;
• Extend the length of time survivors of domestic violence can reside in emergency shelter; and
• Afford a greater opportunity for adult survivors of child sex abuse to seek criminal and civil damages.

At the same time, we are working with our colleagues in New York City and State government to establish a fully co-located Child Advocacy Center in the South Bronx, where the need for an effective, coordinated response to child abuse is so great. We are hopeful that our advocacy will result in a new center in 2012.

Safe Horizon is also working to re-establish a program that would help survivors of domestic violence to access safe, affordable and permanent housing for themselves and their families.

Finally, the Government Affairs office is working to preserve State and local funding for a number of Safe Horizon programs, including:

• Child Advocacy Centers, which help victims of child sexual and severe physical abuse begin to heal;
• Streetwork, which provides overnight shelter, street outreach and other crisis services to homeless and at-risk young people;
• Legal Services, which guide victims of domestic violence and other crimes through an often-confusing criminal and civil court system;
• Counseling Center, which provides evidence-based trauma-focused mental health treatment to child and adult survivors of crime; and
• Court-based Children’s Centers, which offer free, educational activities to children whose caregivers have business in court.

How to Reach Safe Horizon's Advocacy & Policy Office

Contact Michael J. Polenberg, Vice President, Government Affairs, at 212.577.7700.

Recent Advocacy News

Joining Senator Chuck Schumer to Protect Children from Sex Offenders

Governor Paterson’s Recent Efforts to Expand DNA Testing