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 2025 Executive Budget recommends All Funds appropriations of $17.88 million for the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. Compared to last year, this is an increase of $1 million, which primarily supports a sextortion-focused training program, an informational website, and a public awareness campaign. The Budget also continues funding to survivors of domestic violence to cover expenses in emergency situations. The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 38 FTEs, an increase of 5 positions compared to the FY 2024 Budget.

Program Highlights

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 01/16/2024