Heal, Hold & Center: URI’s Pledge This Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Heal, Hold & Center: URI’s Pledge This Domestic Violence Awareness Month

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, do not hesitate to reach out to NYC’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE for immediate assistance.  

As we step into Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) this October, I call on our community to deeply embrace the theme “Heal, Hold & Center,” which is at the heart of Urban Resource Institute’s (URI) mission. This theme compels us to heal from violence, hold space for survivors, and center the voices most impacted by violence and oppression, particularly within Black and brown communities. It is a stark reminder that there is no justice without racial justice, aligning perfectly with our commitment to addressing the systemic inequalities that underpin domestic violence.

As the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence services, URI is committed every day to providing sanctuary through support, counseling, and safe housing for those in urgent need. We prioritize listening to and believing survivors from the moment they share their stories. By offering immediate safety, comprehensive support services, and cultivating a community where their voices are respected and valued, we create an environment essential for the thriving of survivors.

Recent statistics from the New York City Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee present a distressing picture: a 29% increase in intimate partner homicides, marking the second-largest rise in a decade. This disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic women, who, despite making up a smaller percentage of the city’s population, account for a staggering 41% and 36% of intimate partner homicides, respectively. This data not only highlights the urgent need for targeted support but also calls for systemic change to dismantle the deep-seated racial disparities that perpetuate this violence. We must confront these injustices head-on, advocating for and implementing solutions that uphold the true essence of justice for all survivors.

The rise in high-profile domestic violence cases has also thrust this issue into the limelight, reminding us that domestic violence affects nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men, transcending socio-economic boundaries yet disproportionately impacting marginalized communities. At URI, we prioritize creating a supportive environment where all survivors feel heard, believed, and respected from the moment they share their stories. By providing immediate safety, comprehensive support services, and nurturing a community that values their voices, we empower survivors to thrive.

URI offers a broad range of programs tailored to meet the needs of domestic violence survivors. Our Economic Empowerment Program fosters financial independence, while the People and Animals Living Safely initiative ensures that survivors do not have to leave their pets behind. Additionally, our Legal Education Advocacy Program and Crime Victims Support Program provide crucial legal support. For younger individuals, the Relationship Abuse Prevention Program and the Fabrication Lab offer education on healthy relationships and access to advanced technology training.

This DVAM and beyond, I am committed to healing, holding space, and centering the voices of those most affected by violence and oppression. I urge everyone within URI and our extended community to join me in this commitment. As we embrace these values, I invite everyone to participate in the National Call for Unity: Connective Action, which is a dedicated effort to bring together advocates and survivors to foster unity and amplify our collective voice in the fight against domestic violence.

National Call for Unity: Connective Action: This year’s National Call for Unity is an opportunity for “Connective Action” around the DVAM 2024 theme, Heal, Hold & Center. This is an intentional pause and moment of recognition and togetherness for advocates and survivors across the country. Who do you want to celebrate? This #CallforUnity asks each of us to commit to reconnection with those we honor and appreciate in this work to end and heal from domestic violence.

We cannot do this work alone, and I am thankful for the resilient survivors who inspire us, our dedicated staff who support over 3,900 individuals, families, and pets nightly across our 25 shelters, and our civic leaders, peer organizations, and community partners like The Greater New York (NY) Chapter of The Links, whose unwavering support helps protect the city’s most vulnerable.

For more information about URI’s work and how you can support survivors of domestic violence, please visit our website at www.urinyc.org. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve.

In Solidarity,

Nathaniel Fields
Chief Executive Officer
Urban Resource Institute