Commissioner Rose Pierre-Louis of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence speaks about resources for residents at the Community Board 9 meeting Tuesday evening. Image courtesy NYC Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence
While the number of domestic violence reports in South Queens is a sombering statistic, it is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to glimpsing just how pervasive this epidemic is, area leaders said at Tuesday evening’s Community Board 9 meeting in Kew Gardens.
Following a presentation about domestic violence – in the 102nd Precinct, as well as throughout the five boroughs – by Commissioner Rose Pierre-Louis of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, CB 9 Chairman Ralph Gonzalez urged residents to think about a problem that is deep-rooted throughout the city – and one that can grow anywhere.
“I want you to think about the importance of what you just heard – it’s not only in the numbers presented to you, but in the numbers that are absent,” Gonzalez cautioned at the CB 9 meeting held at the Center at Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens.
Pierre-Louis, who launched her career at Queens Legal Services developing workshops aimed at empowering victims of domestic violence to obtain a divorce for their abusers without having to wait for an attorney, told CB 9 members and other area residents that the 102nd Precinct ranks 23rd out of the city’s 77 precincts for reports of domestic incidents.
The 102nd Precinct covers Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, and the northern section of Ozone Park.
Additionally, the recently appointed commissioner reported that one out of 10 major felonies in the 102nd are domestic violence related. In 2013, she said, the NYPD responded to 280,531 domestic violence incidents – an average of 770 every day.
In the 102nd Precinct, there were 4,491 domestic incidents reported in 2013 – an average of 12 per day.
“Domestic violence touches every corner,” Pierre-Louis said.
While the numbers are representative of a very real problem, the commissioner and CB 9 leaders stressed that the city is focused on tackling the issue – and that there are numerous resources available to victims. No matter what someone facing domestic violence wants – from counseling to shelter or help with leaving an abusive spouse – Pierre-Louis stressed it is available.
For example, one such resource, the commissioner noted, is the New York City Family Justice Center in Queens, located at 126-02 82nd Ave. in Kew Gardens. The Family Justice Center, which is a part of the mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, is a walk-in center for all domestic violence victims and their families. They offer a long list of services, including counseling, legal information, support for children, elder abuse services, and spiritual support. The Queens Center’s number is (718) 575-4500.
Stressing the need for the entire community to work together – from police officers to civic leaders – Pierre-Louis emphasized that, “we are all part of the solution in dealing with this problem.”
“I hope what we can do around this conversation on domestic violence” is focus on “how pervasive it is, how it can destabilize an entire community,” the commissioner said.
Police from the 102nd Precinct – as well as the 106th Precinct – have been attempting to increase awareness and education surrounding domestic violence and recently held a forum on the matter. At the February event, Sgt. Noreen Lazarus, who works with domestic violence cases in South Queens, called the problem a “social epidemic because it affects everyone.”
“There were 240,000 radio runs for domestic violence last year, but even though that number is so big, it’s so under-reported,” Lazarus said.
City officials distribute this type of literature throughout Queens, and the other four boroughs, to create awareness about help that is available for domestic violence victims.
By Anna Gustafson
Image courtesy NYC Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence
Image courtesy NYC Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence
