Stories & Voices
With Domestic Violence on the Rise, Our Partners Offer Critical Support
June 19th, 2020

The height of the Covid-19 crisis made life challenging for everyone. For women with abusive partners, life became even more harrowing and volatile. Job loss, food insecurity, and cramped living spaces created enormous stress that led to increased domestic violence, emotional abuse, and financial exploitation. Unable to turn to family and friends for a safe haven, because of quarantine restrictions, women throughout New York City, Long Island, and Westchester looked to UJA-Federation partners for critical support.

As many women found their lives in upheaval, our partners provided life-saving support through emergency shelters, compassionate phone counseling sessions, and legal assistance. UJA partners, sensitive to the special needs of the Jewish and immigrant communities, offered services in a number of languages, including Spanish, Russian, and Hebrew.

In a time when isolation forced domestic violence survivors to face increasing danger in their homes and placed their children at further risk, our partners responded with essential services and caring outreach.

“Quarantine has turned our clients’ world upside down,” says Cathy Byrne, associate executive director of The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC. The JCC provides domestic violence case management services in partnership with Safe Center LI. “The Gural JCC represents stability and a place to turn for hope, guidance, and support. Our professional team is a lifeline to over 325 clients in need.”

Here’s a list of resources provided by agencies in the New York area that can help individuals and families who have faced domestic violence stay safe and rebuild their lives.