Prevention of Domestic Violence, Office for the

Agency Web Site: http://www.opdv.ny.gov/

Mission

The Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) works to improve the State's response to, and prevention of, domestic violence by providing support for local programs; offering policy advice and proposals at the state and local level; providing training and public education; and administering awareness activities.

Organization and Staffing

OPDV, led by an Executive Director, has four bureaus, including: Bureau of Law and Public Safety; Bureau of Finance and Operations; Bureau of External Affairs and Bureau of Family and Victim Resources. The Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team includes 20 members representing primarily state and local public safety agencies. The Advisory Council has 27 members including representatives from 11 state agencies, the Governor's Office, the Legislature and local nonprofit providers.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2023 Executive Budget recommends All Funds appropriations of $10.9 million for the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. Compared to last year, this is an increase of $185,000 associated with the establishment of the Gender-Based Violence Training Institute. The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 32 FTEs, an increase of three positions associated with the establishment of the Institute.

Program Highlights

NYS Gender-Based Violence Training Institute

The FY 2023 Executive Budget establishes the NYS Gender-Based Violence Training Institute within OPDV. The Institute will create a mandatory 40-hour training certificate for all domestic and gender-based violence victim advocates in consultation with relevant, culturally responsive statewide advocacy organizations and will offer train-the-trainer certifications.

NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Text, Chat, and Hotline

The NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline provides trained counselors who respond to a variety of service needs including crisis intervention, supportive counseling, and information and referral services. Callers to the Hotline include victims of domestic and sexual violence, concerned others (e.g., family members, friends and co-workers), and professionals (e.g., professionals from human services, health care and criminal justice).

External Affairs

The Bureau of External Affairs enhances the agency’s outreach to survivors and to open new channels of communication to enhance the general public’s broader knowledge of domestic violence. In the coming year, the Bureau of External Affairs will continue to work to reach new audiences and engage more partners in the quest to end gender-based violence.

Campaigns

OPDV's public awareness and prevention campaigns employ a holistic, cross-discipline use of strategies including, but not limited to, social media, print publications, virtual panels and focus groups, media events with notable guests, and partnerships with relevant community agencies. Ongoing campaigns include Asking for a Friend, Engaging Men and Boys, Hotline Language Access, Reproductive Coercion and Technology-Assisted Abuse.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 05/11/2020