Hosting Ulster County’s 4^th Annual Domestic Violence Information Forum on October 27, 2016

Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein proclaims the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Ulster County.  The County Executive and the Ulster County Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence are sponsoring the 4^th Annual Domestic Violence Information Forum, featuring storytelling performances by TMI Project.  In addition, presentations will be made by various agency representatives discussing their roles in the domestic violence process.  The public is invited to this free event which will be held on October 27, 2016 at the SUNY Ulster College Lounge, Stone Ridge, NY from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Pre-registration is required at http://www.sunyulster.edu/TMI_Project.  TMI Project is a non-profit organization that offers transformative memoir workshops and performances that invite storytellers and audience members to explore new perspectives. By sharing bravely and candidly, storytellers become agents of change, fostering compassion, understanding and public awareness.

The County is also shining the light on domestic violence by:

• Lighting the County Office Building and the cupola at the Crime Victim’s Unit Office at 1 Pearl Street in Kingston purple;

• Providing four billboards to be displayed throughout the County;

• Hanging Domestic Violence Awareness banners with the hotline number at various locations;  

• Displaying the Clothesline Project Art Exhibit in the lobby of the Ulster County Office building; and

• Including information to employees regarding Domestic Violence Awareness Month and encouraging employees to wear purple on October 20, 2016. 

“Domestic violence is a national epidemic that affects millions of people and many right here in our own community,” said County Executive Mike Hein.  “It is important to shine a light on this difficult topic and let people know that there are resources available to help if they find themselves in an abusive relationship.  Domestic violence can take many forms and can include physical and sexual abuse as well as verbal, emotional/psychological abuse; coercion and threats; isolation; minimizing, denying, blaming; using children; intimidation; and economic abuse.  I urge anyone in need of help to call the 24 hour hotline at 845-338-2370.  I want to thank the members of the Ulster County Inter-Agency Council for their outstanding efforts as they continue to provide information to the public through the Forum, the Teen Dating Violence Video Contest, as well as their past help in developing the `Ulster County Domestic Violence´ smartphone app which is available for free at the Apple App Store and Google Play.”

Holley Carnright, Ulster County District Attorney

“Mike Hein is one of those leaders that really gets the significance of domestic violence and the devastating impact it has on our community,” said Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright.  “He has been and remains a formidable ally in this fight.”

Michael Iapoce, Commissioner of the Ulster County Department of Social Services and Chair of the Ulster County Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence

"In observance of October's National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and with the support of County Executive Mike Hein, the Ulster County Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence is proud to be able to sponsor our 4th Annual Domestic Violence Information Forum to educate the community about available domestic violence services and prevention efforts,” said Michael Iapoce, Commissioner of the Ulster County Department of Social Services and Chair of the Ulster County Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence. “This year's Forum will include presentations by local service providers and a performance by the TMI Project. In addition to the Forum, other annual initiatives throughout October will include a County employee payroll stuffer and billboards aimed at continuing to raise and generate public awareness of the need to end domestic violence.”

Domestic Violence is a national issue and is defined as a pattern of coercive behavior that is culturally learned and socially condoned. It can include physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse and is perpetrated by one person against their intimate partner. Domestic violence can also be perpetrated by and/or against a member of the same family or household.  Domestic violence remains a huge and largely hidden problem.   In 2014, a total of 280,995 domestic violence and sexual assault hotline calls were received in New York State which was a 7% decrease from the 303,399 call received in 2013.  NYS courts issued a total of 293,774 orders of protection in 2014 which had declined 2% from 2013.

Some of the resources available in Ulster County for victims of domestic abuse include the Family of Woodstock Domestic Violence Services hotline, which can be reached 24 hours-a-day at 845-338-2370, and the Ulster County Crime Victim Assistance Program, which can be reached at 845-340-3442.  These programs provide counseling, shelter, as well as legal and financial support for victims.  For more information please visit the Crime Victims Assistance Program at: http://ulstercountyny.gov/probation/crime-victim-assistance and the Family of Woodstock at: http://www.familyofwoodstockinc.org/domestic-violence-services. In addition, the videos from the Teen Dating Violence Video Contests can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/UlsterCountyExec and the domestic violence smartphone app can be downloaded at the Apple App Store or Google Play by searching “Ulster County Domestic Violence.”