More than 600 people, eager to learn ways to combat domestic violence, filled seats at Hostos Community College in the Bronx Saturday for NYCHA’s 13th annual Domestic Violence Conference. The housing authority wants to put a spotlight on the issue that happens all too often in their 334 buildings and arm New Yorkers with knowledge to end the cycle. NY1′s Erin Clarke filed the following report.
Approximately 14 percent of domestic violence related felonies in the city happen in public housing developments. It’s an ugly truth the city wants to change.
“The mayor really charged the entire city to come up with a set of solutions to really bring this issue out of the shadows,” said New York City Housing Association Chair Shola Olatoye.
At the housing authority’s annual domestic violence conference, a powerful lineup of speakers and special guest shared information.
There was even an unexpected story from a celebrity, who shared his personal experience with the issue.
“I grew up in a household of domestic violence, my mother being abused by men,” said former Knicks guard John Starks. “I remember me an my wife got into a huge argument. I grabbed her and I was about ready to hit her and something just said ‘do not do that, do not go down that path.’”
One topic addressed at the conference that caused the crowd to become quite passionate at times was the effect that domestic violence has on children.
“It’s important because the children are in the homes too, experiencing the violence,” said Resident Council President of Boston Secor Houses Stacey Carpentier.
Because domestic violence is often thought of as a woman’s issue, young people suffering without being touched physically is often overlooked. Experts say that too must be addressed
“‘Child witness to intimate partner violence.’ Less than one percent of people have even heard of that. And then we’ve got this word ‘witness.’ People like me, and maybe people like you, who grew up in these homes, we have a problem with the word ‘witness’ because the word ‘witness’ doesn’t adequately describe the impact,” said Brian Martin, founder Children of Domestic Violence Foundation.
Residents say the information provided at the conference is a start. Now, they want to see real change happen in their communities.
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