Community Rally to Support Legislation Expanding Gender-Based Violence Resources in NYC Hair, Nail, and Skincare Salons
Advocates and Allies Call for Swift Passage of Int. 1216 to Empower Survivors Citywide
New York, NY – June 11, 2025 – Today, survivors, advocates, elected officials, salon workers, and community members will gather on the steps of New York City in solidarity to rally in support of Int. 1216, a vital piece of legislation aimed at increasing access to gender-based violence (GBV) resources in New York City.
Int. 1216 would require the NYC Office to End Gender-Based Violence to create and distribute informational posters—available in multiple languages—to educate the general public on recognizing the signs of GBV and how those facing it may access support services. These public education posters would be provided at NO COST to over 10,000 hair, nail, skincare, and threading salons across the five boroughs, embedding life-saving information into trusted community spaces.
“Domestic and gender-based violence remain a hidden epidemic across our nation, and I am honored to work alongside survivors and advocates to ensure our communities receive the support and care they need,” said Council Member Linda Lee, Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction. “Intro 1216 will ensure that information about city services to combat gender-based violence is made accessible in cosmetology establishments throughout New York City. As a social worker, I understand the importance of meeting people where they are, and this legislation reflects that principle by helping to raise awareness and spark essential conversations around this often-overlooked crisis.”
“We know that survivors of gender-based and domestic violence often find themselves in situations where they cannot disclose their experiences. Intro 1216, which I’m proud to be a co-prime sponsor of, would establish a simple, life-saving measure of distributing public education posters to raise awareness about the signs and resources available for victims of gender-based violence in trusted community spaces,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif, Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus. “With this support, we are one step closer to helping thousands of New Yorkers escape abusive situations and fostering a more compassionate and safer City for everyone.”
In 2023 alone, the NYPD received over 103,000 reports of domestic violence, yet culturally specific service providers continue to highlight that many cases go unreported, especially in immigrant and underserved communities. By placing educational and resource-rich materials in salons—where conversations are personal and relationships are built—Intro 1216 empowers both survivors and those around them to take informed action.
Just as restaurants must display choking hazard posters and liquor-licensed businesses must display human trafficking notices, this bill continues a precedent of public awareness for public safety. Supporters say that empowering people with knowledge is not only preventative but potentially life-saving.
“At KAFSC, we have seen how a simple conversation in a trusted space, like a salon, can be the first step toward safety for immigrant survivors,” said Jeehae Fischer, Executive Director of the Korean American Family Service Center. “This bill turns everyday spaces into lifelines. By bringing critical information into the heart of our communities, Int. 1216 affirms that survivors deserve to be seen, heard, and helped wherever they are.”
“By partnering with salons to increase anti-violence messaging that connects survivors to services, this bill will make NYC families and communities safer,” said Margarita Guzmán, Executive Director of Violence Intervention Program (VIP). “We know that many survivors, especially those who are BIPOC and immigrants, are less likely to report violence to traditional responders. This opens doors for people who may not otherwise find assistance and strengthens partnerships with businesses to join the fight to end violence..”
The bill is also supported by Kavita Mehra, Executive Director of Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, who stated “The impact of the Domestic Violence Poster Bill will be multidimensional: it will continue the movement’s work of bringing visibility to what has long been dismissed as a private issue, reframing domestic violence as the public health crisis it truly is. More importantly, it will provide survivors of gender-based violence with greater access to life-saving resources and information.”
“Womankind strongly believes that community collaboration is vital for progress and success in ending gender-based violence,” says Yasmeen Hamza, Executive Director of Womankind. “By partnering with beauty salons—trusted spaces within diverse immigrant and marginalized neighborhoods across NYC—this free, multilingual initiative will raise awareness and provide vital information to survivors who are seeking support. Working together in this way ensures safer communities for us all”.
ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE
Formed in 2018, The Collective is the only coalition of culturally specific, gender justice organizations in New York City that are dedicated to supporting immigrant and BIPOC survivors and centering these communities in policy-making efforts to address gender-based violence. The Collective comprises the Korean American Family Service Center, Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, Sauti Yetu Center for African Women and Families, Violence Intervention Program (VIP), and Womankind. These organizations all operate at the intersections of gender, racial, and immigration justice, offering a range of supportive services for survivors, including shelter, legal assistance, social work support, and economic stability.
Media Contact:
Julian Kline
Kline Public Strategies
917-435-4359
julian@klinestrategies.com
One Response
This is a sharp and intellectually stimulating analysis that brilliantly deconstructs the ‘civic architecture’ of community mobilization and the critical importance of VIP’s advocacy in the evolution of modern gender-based violence prevention. I particularly appreciate the way the feature highlights how the shift from traditional outreach to high-impact, mission-aligned intervention within hair and nail salons serves as a vital bridge between the abstract mechanics of legislation and a profound, lived experience of safety and support—it’s a powerful reminder that the most resonant social environments are those that prioritize localized trust, ethical integrity, and the strategic interrogation of the stories that shape our shared progress. The insight into how these advocacy frameworks function as both a practical toolkit for the contemporary activist and a sophisticated roadmap for the future of the NYC community is a fantastic and deeply moving observation. Thank you for sharing such a clear and focused perspective on the intersection of solidarity, reform, and the seeker’s heart!