State grants more than $400k to local centers to help survivors of domestic violence

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — More than $400,000 in grant funding is coming to local service providers in the Rochester region to help them support survivors of domestic violence and their families.

The move was announced Friday by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, as Oct.1 kicked off Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Here’s a breakdown of who received what:

• Chances and Changes, Inc. (Livingston County) $16,178
• Lifespan of Greater Rochester (Monroe County) $30,290
• Victim Resource Center of the Finger Lakes (Monroe County) $30,290
• Willow Domestic Violence Center of Greater Rochester (Monroe County) $311,172

A total of $6.5 million was deal out across the state, more than half of the funds are going towards housing for survivors.

Additionally, the state’s Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) launched a new website, which it says helps survivors understand and avoid technology-based abuse.

“We have to be talking about this issue and spread awareness everywhere we are. Only when we do that can we break the stigma, can we bring this into the light and really truly move the needle on domestic violence in our community,” said Lisa Nolan, director of prevention education at the Willow Domestic Violence Center.

In a newly released 2020 Monroe County Domestic Violence report, nearly 44,000 domestic dispute calls were made to Monroe County 911 dispatch last year, up1%. More alarming, Willow Domestic Violence Center received nearly 8,000 calls on its 24/7 hotline during 2020, up nearly 20% from the year before.

"Those figures they’re tragic. They’re heartbreaking. and seeing these numbers and reading them is a wake-up call. It has to be a wake-up call for this entire community that your help is needed now more than ever before," said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello.