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Legislator Paul: ‘No One Should Have To Live In Violent Conditions & Awareness Is The First Step To Take To Save Lives’

Center For Safety & Change Shares Sobering Information About Domestic Violence, Sexual Trauma & Human Trafficking But Offers Vital Help And A Message Of A Brighter Future

The information is sobering but the message is clear: If you are facing an abusive situation in Rockland County, vital help is available and a brighter future is absolutely possible.

Amita Banerjee of the Center for Safety & Change delivered that message as she shared important information with Rockland County legislators during a meeting of the Special Committee on Health & Wellness.

The committee’s chair, Rockland County Legislature Vice Chair Dr. Aney Paul, invited Ms. Banerjee to speak. The Center is working to make more people aware of the issues faced by many of our neighbors, as well as the services available to victims and survivors of  domestic violence, sexual trauma, human trafficking and other crimes.

“I appreciate the valuable information that was provided by the Center for Safety & Change,” Legislator Paul said. “While some of the information is difficult to hear, it is important that we get the facts and make people aware that help is available. No one should have to live in violent conditions and awareness is the first step to take to save lives.”

According to the Center’s 2024 Impact Summary, the organization supported 1,965 unduplicated victims and survivors, of which 500 were children. Support was provided a total of 37,507 times with 215,163 services.

The Center’s many services include an emergency shelter; transitional housing; crisis intervention; children & youth  services;  anti-human  trafficking  program;  supportive  accompaniment  to  and  advocacy  with  hospital, court, police and social services; sexual assault forensic examiner program at both local hospitals; educational and supportive services at all three local colleges; and more. The Center serves people of all racial and cultural backgrounds,  religions,  sexual  orientations,  gender  identities,  abilities  and  ages,  regardless  of  immigration status. Services are free, culturally-sensitive and offered in multiple languages.

If you need help to ensure their services meet your needs, please call the Center’s 24-hour Hotline: (845) 634-3344; 24-hour Mobile Text: (845) 286-4997; or 24-hour Web Chat: centerforsafetyandchange.org

Amita Banerjee of Center for Safety and Change (left) and Rockland County Legislature Vice Chair Dr. Aney Paul, chair of the Health & Wellness Committee. 

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