Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke Hosts Forum on Domestic Violence Awareness with Assemblywoman Diana C. Richardson and Council Member Laurie Cumbo

Statement

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement about the Forum on Domestic Violence Awareness she hosted last evening to provide members of the community with information about preventing domestic violence and offering survivors the resources needed to reclaim their lives.

"The problem of domestic violence threatens us in every community in the United States. In New York City, the police department responds to seven hundred and seventy reports of domestic violence every day. Those reports amount to 281,000 incidents each year. We must end the pervasive silence about domestic violence that continues to prevent survivors from accessing critical services and allows these attacks to continue," said Congresswoman Clarke, who worked to include protections for women who are undocumented immigrants or who are Native American in the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013.

"I am proud that we could assemble some of the most preeminent experts on domestic violence in world, women and men who are leaders in the effort to secure the personal dignity of each individual person. Now, we must continue the conversation with our families and our friends, with people we know in our community. We cannot remain silent. Silence allows domestic violence to continue. Silence prevents the survivors of domestic violence from learning about the resources that are available to assist them. Silence often results in the false assumption that we as a society are not concerned with domestic violence. Let us affirm that we will fight to end domestic violence forever."

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