Local organizations discuss domestic violence prevention
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Members of Governor Hochul's cabinet were in town this week to talk about proposals in the budget to support victims of crime and gender-based violence.
Local organizations sat in on the presentation by the state's Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, and the Office of Victim Services.
The presentation focused on budget proposals such as doubling the funding for rape crisis centers, creating a mass violence crisis response team for survivors, requiring hospitals to provide victims of sexual assault free forensic exams, and free school meals.
The executive director of the Office for Prevention of Domestic Violence, Kelli Owens, says they're traveling across the state to hear from stakeholders, and a majority support all of the proposals.
'Everybody is talking about how we can-do long-term services for victims and survivors. So much of what we focus on is that emergency response, and everybody is really asking what can we do long term? And I think there's a lot of stuff in here that really gets to that, for victims and survivors of gender-based violence,' said Owens.
The meeting took place at SUNY Broome's Culinary and Event Center in Downtown Binghamton.
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