Statement in Solidarity with Survivors of Violence and in Support of Sanctuary Policies
As organizations that work with survivors of gender based violence, including sexual and domestic violence, in New York City every single day, we were devastated to learn about the rape of a 46-year-old woman in Coney Island last month.
We demand justice for the survivor and resources that will support her healing journey.
In the wake of violence, survivors come to our organizations to safely access counseling, social services and, in some cases, to report the violence to police. Yet time and time again, we have seen how the legal system fails survivors of rape.
And time and time again, we have seen attempts to misdirect the public’s outrage away from the crucial work of ending gender-based violence.
Thus, we are deeply disappointed by media depictions and the attempts of certain city officials to exploit this horrible act of violence to undermine New York City’s sanctuary policies, which are a crucial tool for survivors, including immigrants, in reporting violence they’ve experienced and gaining access to critical healing services.
Immigrant survivors of gender-based violence frequently ask us: “If I go to the police, can I be deported?”
Thanks to New York City’s long standing sanctuary policies, we are relieved that we can assure survivors they are safe in coming forward. This in turn helps all survivors – those who are immigrants as well as those who are born in the U.S.
We are dismayed that the New York Times recent story completely ignored this vital truth, also thereby further silencing immigrant survivors.
We call on all of our elected representatives – at the city, state and federal level – to stand with survivors and to uphold the truth that sanctuary policies are a crucial tool for community safety.
Signed,
New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault
New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Sakhi for South Asian Survivors
Sauti Yetu Center for African Women and Families
