Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday new efforts to help
survivors of domestic violence.
The proposals would allow the courts to require abusers to
pay for damages to housing units, moving expenses and other housing costs
related to domestic violence.
It also requires the Office of Court Administration to
report domestic violence felony statistics to the state Division of Criminal
Justice Services monthly.
The Safe Center says the new plan is a way to get survivors
the resources they need to move on with their lives.
Keith Scott, the Safe Center’s director of education, says the new plan will also ensure there are no loopholes for abusers to obtain guns.
"It's a step in the right direction to protect victims and hold those abusers accountable," he told News 12.
Scott says domestic violence calls went up by 10% since the pandemic began.