August 10, 2019

WBASNY applauds Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today for signing three pieces of legislation expanding protections for victims of abuse and domestic violence. These measures broaden the definition of the crime of domestic violence to include forms of economic abuse such as identity theft, grand larceny and coercion (S.2625/A.5608); give victims the choice to vote by mail-in ballot, even if they remain within the county where they are registered to vote (S.3232-A/A.219); and allow victims to report abuse to any law enforcement agency in New York State, regardless of where the violence originally took place (S.1243/A.4467A). This legislation builds on progress made in the Governor’s 2019 Women’s Justice Agenda to combat domestic violence and empower victims to seek justice and reclaim their lives. Earlier this year, WBASNY supported the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act, which codified meaningful and just sentence reductions for domestic abuse survivors in the criminal justice system.

The legislation passed in 2019, championed by sponsors and signed by Governor Cuomo, will protect individuals from abuse and violence and ensure survivors are able to seek justice. As an organization committed to protecting the rights of women and children both within the state and worldwide, WBASNY is particularly proud that New York has taken huge steps forward to protect and empower survivors of the domestic violence epidemic. This legislation will help achieve gender equity in New York State and marks historic progress toward social justice.