Open letter from City gender-based violence serving employees, survivors, and allies: radically invest in survivors, divest from and abolish carceral systems
Dear Mayor de Blasio,
We write as current and former staff from the de Blasio Administration and other City agencies who serve and/or identify as gender-based violence survivors. We know firsthand how New York City’s violent system of policing and incarceration has failed survivors time after time. Today, we demand a defunding of the criminal legal system, followed by real investment in health equity to address the root causes of violence.
In New York City, the de Blasio administration claims to understand gender-based violence as a public health issue. Yet, the administration’s dependency on police and the criminal legal system “services” — which frequently fails survivors and often leads to retraumatization and incarceration — suggests otherwise. This carceral creep in the anti-violence field perpetuates anti-Black narratives that result in police violence and the inhumane crowding of City jails — jails which continue to be ravaged by COVID-19 even as the Mayor touts “record-low” numbers of infections.
In this moment of calling for racial justice, criminal legal divestment, and community investment, we must uplift the needs of survivors, along with the memories of those who have not survived. We call for a radical shift in how the City supports the diverse, complex, and multifaceted survivor community, many of whom are treated by the system as disposable or “difficult”: survivors who are disabled, trans, queer, Black, undocumented, or criminalized.
The City has poured more and more funding into district attorneys (DAs), police, and even City jail systems in the name of survivors. These budgetary decisions ignore the fact that many survivors experience victimization at the hands of these institutions — in the form of racist violence, sexual violence, the trauma of incarceration or detention centers, or gross negligence — especially impacting Black trans and cis women and girls. For example, NYPD has had numerous accounts of abusing their families and loved ones, people in their custody, or people who sell sex.
Despite mainstream conceptions of survivorship that center the experiences of middle-class, cis heterosexual women, many survivors without those privileged identities do not experience the police, DAs, or prisons as their protectors.
Note one of the clearest indicators of the current system’s failures for those with the highest need: in New York City, the majority of those killed by domestic violence did not have any previous contact with the police. Furthermore, this refusal to imagine building safety outside of the criminal legal system, which preys on the Black community, has resulted in Black women dying from domestic violence at twice the rate of white women.
Budgets are moral documents. They reflect the values and priorities of institutions. To date, the City’s budgets reflect an unwillingness to prioritize the needs of survivors most on the margins- survivors who are distrustful of and traumatized by the police, DAs and courts, and prisons and jails. Survivors who have been trafficked or whose survivorship results in self-defense have been failed all the more so by a system that criminalizes them.
As individuals who are survivors, prison abolitionists, and/or City employees working against GBV and structural racism, we call on the Mayor and Office of Management and Budget to invest in equity and divest from the violent machinery that only puts the most marginalized survivors at GREATER risk.
- The NYPD as a system has historically terrorized Black, Latinx, and working-class communities. Survivors from these communities have not been exempt from that terror.
- After working hand in hand with the mainstream GBV movement, the field’s means of holding police accountable is minimal and ultimately deferential. Continuing to pour funds into NYPD specialized units, implicit bias or GBV trainings, and carceral co-location models (ex.CVAP or the City’s Family Justice Centers, housed with NYPD and District Attorney’s Offices) is not meeting the need nor keeping us safer.
- Furthermore, survivors and their families have been demanding transformative and healing interventions for decades, but the City refuses to listen.
- Instead of the current funding priorities, the City should invest those funds in small, survivor-led, grassroots organizations for developing projects to create response units and safety in ways that match their needs. Through community participatory budgeting processes, survivors and their communities could decide how to respond to violence, such as investing in restorative justice hubs, non-carceral co-location models, rapid rehousing projects, anti-racist social worker mobile response teams, or neighborhood bystander intervention projects.
2. The District Attorney offices claim to stand with survivors, yet they continually prosecute survivors who act in self-defense.
- As we were reminded by the tragic death of Layleen Polanco, prosecutors also regularly incarcerate people involved in sex work — either due to force, choice or coercion — for not complying with their court-mandated counseling services. Nevertheless, City officials have called for sex work “reforms” that continue to pursue criminalization and diminish individual agency. These policies are antithetical to our objectives as advocates against gender-based violence.
- As abolitionists, we recognize that this criminalization is particularly nefarious given that incarceration and detention centers are some of the most rampant purveyors of sexual violence (New York City’s compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act, for example, is known to be abysmal). Furthermore, numerous scholars have told us that, despite two centuries of reforms, these institutions are irreformable.
- Rather than continuing to invest funds in prosecutors and human trafficking intervention courts that banish people to institutions of physical and sexual violence, we should divest from these carceral dens and demand the release of all criminalized survivors.
- Additionally, the Mayor, Office of Management and Budget, and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice should redirect those funds to support criminalized survivors and their families’ healing and basic necessities — quality and safe housing, non-coercive mental and physical healthcare (including HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment), quality education and low barrier economic supports.
3. Lastly, we know that prisons and jails do not serve survivors. First, many Black, Latinx, trans and queer survivors end up criminalized by this system that does not see them as “perfect” victims.
- We know that Rikers and other City jails do not serve them in their healing but actually extend their torture. In addition, if we recognize prisons and jails as sites of sexual violence, most people incarcerated become survivors while inside, even if they weren’t before they entered jails. We refuse to allow their survivorship to be erased, even if mainstream anti-GBV agencies and service-providers treat the abuse they suffer as inconsequential.
- Anchored in gender and racial equity, we reject prisons and jails as a solution to GBV and call for their divestment and abolition. Instead of keeping Rikers open or building the City’s new jails, we call for an immediate decarceration and reallocation of those funds to the things survivors tell our agencies they need time after time: quality and stable housing, access to gender-responsive and anti-racist mental and physical healthcare, quality childcare (WITHOUT threat of “failure to protect” child removal) and anti-oppressive education and employment regardless of one’s immigration, public benefits or “criminal” status.
- We call on the Mayor, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice to divest from Department of Corrections’ facilities, as the first step to abolition, and redirect those funds to local and survivor-led CBOs to develop anti-racist, survivor-centered and low-barrier social safety net supports.
- These supports should start with increasing stable housing units, which are not contingent on receipt of public benefits that can lock survivors into under-employment, exploitation, and poverty.
We have been energized by the beautiful words of our colleagues who have demanded change from our Mayor and echo many of their observations and demands. Further, we are grounded in the work of feminists of color who have called for abolition feminism and warned against reliance on the criminal legal system for decades.
As we call for disinvestment of the police, we must also commit to building a world where communities are free of fear from violence and abuse. Using a public health and health equity approach, we understand that the root causes that result in an increased risk for GBV are structural and oppressive: heterosexist patriarchy, racism, and capitalism.
Disinvesting from police, District Attorney’s Offices, and prisons and jails is the first step. We must push further to invest in survivors’ neighborhoods, communities, and the tools they need for healing and true safety.
Signed,
Abolitionist gender-based violence City staff, survivors and allies
There have been over 100 signatures endorsing this open letter. If you would also like to sign, please click here. We will post signatories on Monday June 22nd.
Updated on 6/23: Signatories are included below. Apologies for delays in posting.
Self-identified former/current City employees
1. Abby V.
2. Alexis Posey-Department of Health
3. Alison Yager-Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
4. Alvaro Pinzon-Mayor’s Office
5. Amy-Department of Education
6. Anonymous-Office of the Mayor
7. Bennett Stein-Board of Correction
8. Chelsea Veronica Ocon-Mayor’s Office to End Domestic & Gender Based Violence (formerly known as OCDV)
9. Colleen McCormack-Maitland-FDNY EEO
10. Dalia Sharps-Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence
11. Daniah Warde-DoITT
12. Daniel Edelman-Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity
13. David Moss-New York City Council
14. Deborah L. Kaplan-NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
15. DS-Mayors office
16. Elizabeth Falcone-Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence
17. Elizabeth M-Mayor’s office to End Domestic and Gender Based Violence
18. Ella Mintz-Civilian Complaint Review Board
19. Emily Preuss-Office to end gender based violence
20. Emma Pliskin, MPH-NYC DOHMH
21. Eric Vaughan-Department of Education
22. Felicia H.
23. Genevieve Lamont-Civilian Complaint Review Board
24. Irina Tavera-
25. Izabela Qafa-ENDGBV
26. Jasmine D. Graves
27. JENNY
28. Jerry Bruno-DHS
29. Jessica Madris-HRA (former employee)
30. Joy Stone-DOHMH
31. Julian G.-Teacher, DOE
32. Kate Bernyk-Office of the First Lady of NYC
33. Katie Matejcak-Civilian Complaint Review Board
34. Kelly Davis-DOHMH
35. Kiara Cruz-DOHMH
36. Kimberly Shannon-Department of Education
37. L Tantay-NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
38. lae sway-Department of Youth & Community Development
39. Laura Bram-NYC Campaign Finance Board
40. Lei Brutus-ENDGBV
41. Liner Nuñez-ENDGBV
42. Luz Ramos-ENDGBV
43. Maggie Koneazny-ENDGBV
44. Maisie
45. Mary T. Bassett-Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
46. Mateo Belen-Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
47. Maya Hansen-Former paralegal at Manhattan DA’s Office
48. Melanie Askari-
49. Michaela Fisher-NYC Small Business Services
50. Monica Sobrin-Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence
51. Nora Stephens-Mayor’s Office of Appointments
52. Oni Blackstock, MD, MHS-DOHMH
53. Rachel Ellman-former CCRB employee
54. Raphael Pope-Sussman-Mayor’s Office of Speechwriting
55. Rebecca Moy-ENDGBV
56. Rebekah Romingquet-NYC DOE
57. Rosalind Petchesky-City University of NY
58. Sabrina Bazile-Department Housing Preservation & Development
59. Saloni Sethi
60. Sandhya Kajeepeta-Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence
61. Sara I
62. Sara Shoener
63. Sarah Flatto Manasrah-Mayor’s Office to End Domestic & Gender-Based Violence
64. Sasha Ahuja-New York City Council (former); Equal Employment Practices Commission (current); Commission on Gender Equity (current)
65. Serena Curry
66. -Sojourner R.ENDGBV, Survivor
67. Stephanie J
68. Taylor B.-ENDGBV
69. Tesa Arozqueta-ENDGBV
70. Tiziana Nin-Mayor’s Office to End Domestic band Gender-Based Violence
71. William Parker MacLure-Civilian Complaint Review Board
72. Zinzi Bailey, ScD, MSPH-Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
73. Zoë Smith-New York County District Attorney’s Office
Ally/Supporter/Survivor (self-identified as non-City staff)
1. Anonymous supporter
2. A. Diaz Tostado
3. Abigail Renner
4. Aditi Varshneya
5. Adrian Kase
6. Adriene Lara
7. Adrienne Wong
8. Al Brooks
9. Alana Joy
10. Aleena
11. Alejandra Aguirre
12. Alex Zucker
13. ali anderson, BYP100, Ancient Song Doula Services, Feeding Black Futures
14. Alicia Yeo
15. Allie Fountaine
16. Allison Ciuci
17. Allison Mandeville
18. Amanda Esteves
19. Amanda Wang
20. Amber King Columbia University
21. Amita Swadhin- I am a survivor of incestuous childhood rape and the Founding Director of Mirror Memoirs. So many of our members (queer and trans people of color who survived child sexual abuse) have survived rape by police, prison guards and state run psychiatric institution staff. I support the demands of this letter wholeheartedly.
22. Amy Joseph
23. Ana Jayme
24. Andreina Lamas
25. Angela Cai
26. Angela M Chung
27. Angelyn Irvin
28. Anita Rojas Carroll, Esq.
29. Ann Fink
30. Anna Funk, NYU
31. Anna Meixler
32. Anna Nassiff
33. Annabelle Wilder
34. Anni Mudick
35. Arianne Connell
36. Ashley J
37. Avery Epstein
38. Avery Tamchin
39. Bailey E. Strelow
40. Bhavana Nancherla
41. Bree Riley, CUNY
42. Bridget wisnewski
43. Cailin Potami
44. Callie Cramer
45. Camara Hudson
46. Caren Holmes
47. Carolyn S.
48. Celia Dillon
49. Celine Sigmen, WeStandWithNikki Poughkeepsie NY
50. Chanel Porter
51. Chris Shenton
52. Christian waibel
53. CiCi Adams
54. Cindy Candelario
55. Cindy Saenz, MD
56. Claire Lowinger
57. Clara O’Malley
58. Clarissa M.
59. Claudia Chaneski
60. Colin Del Duke
61. Cynthia Lee
62. Dan Kim
63. Daniella Asapokhai
64. Danielle Fusaro
65. Daphne Fong
66. Demi Amideneau
67. DESTINY MABRY
68. Diana Rosen
69. Dr. Tok Michelle Oyewole
70. Dylan Sanders
71. Elena Hodges, NYU Law ‘22
72. Eli Hadley
73. Elise Sommers
74. Eliza Petty
75. Elle McKenzie, Other Organization
76. Ellen Tan, Private Citizen
77. Eloise Harrington
78. Elsa Girardo
79. Elyse Hogan
80. Emilie Bruzelius
81. Emily
82. Emma Hartung, Jewish Voice for Peace
83. Erica Bersin
84. Erica Dugué
85. Erin Cloud, Movement for Family Power
86. Eugenia Kim
87. Eva Vivero
88. Evan June
89. Evan Lehmann, Stanford Law School
90. Faris Ilyas
91. Fennelley Land
92. Gabrielle Afable
93. Gabrielle Rivera
94. Gemma Breit
95. Geraldine Slevin
96. Gigi del Rosario
97. Gioia Kennedy
98. Graig Craver
99. greer x
100. Hadiya Williams
101. Hafizah Omar, Centro Corona
102. Hallie Boas
103. Hana Yamahiro
104. Hannah Karpel
105. Hannah Tadley
106. Hazell Imbert
107. Heather McNally
108. Helen Campbell
109. Helen Chance Smith, Rename Travis AFB
110. Humirah Nadeem
111. Isabel Conn
112. Isabell Liu
113. Isabella Jayme
114. Jabari
115. Jackie Cosse, Criminalized Survivors Program at STEPS to End Family Violence)
116. Jacqueline Braslow, Former Center for Court Innovation employee
117. Jaden Powell
118. Jadyn Herry, Survived and Punished NY
119. Jamie Miller
120. Jamie Tyberg
121. Japjyot Singh
122. Jasper Wojtach
123. Jeffrey W.
124. Jennifer Goldberg
125. Jeremy Cohen
126. Jerome Ellis
127. Jerrod MacFarlane
128. Jessica Coffrin, St. Julien
129. Jessica Ho
130. Jillian
131. Joia Crear Perry
132. Jon Babi
133. Jordan Baker
134. Joss Greene
135. Juli Kempner
136. Julia Chang
137. Julia Harvey
138. Julia Shaw
139. Julie Xu
140. Kaeleen Kosmo, Safe Horizon
141. Kate Goodman
142. Kate Mosley
143. Kateline Hullar
144. Katelyn Hoffman
145. Kathryn Hartfield
146. Kathryn McTeigue
147. Kathryn Silverstein
148. Katie Hartmann, The Bronx Defenders
149. Katie Mohrhauser
150. Keiler Beers
151. Kelsey Weber
152. Kendra Davis
153. Kiera Schaindlin
154. Kikelomo Ogunfowora, DOE
155. Kim Konopka
156. Kiyana Grimes, NYU Law
157. Kristine Mar
158. Krsna Kothari
159. Laina Sonterblum
160. Laura Byrnes
161. Lauren Davidson
162. Laurie
163. Leah Haykin, MD Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
164. Leah Mack
165. Leigh Goodmark
166. Leila Raven
167. Lily Kimmel
168. Lina Mafi
169. Liz Koenig
170. Lorie Goshin, PhD, RN
171. Lucy Trieshmann
172. Mac McMechan
173. Mackenzie Lew Graham
174. Maggie Dunbar, Sanctuary for Familes
175. Maggie McCarthy
176. Mairead McCarran
177. Makini Chisolm Straker
178. Malika Giddens
179. Margaret Linhart
180. Marialena Mather
181. Marian Miller
182. Mariana Chilton, Center for Hunger Free Communities, Drexel University
183. Marissa Hatten
184. Marissa Nanarone
185. Mary Sullivan
186. Masena Sadeghi
187. Matilda Sabal
188. Matilda Sokolov
189. Maureen Silverman, Survived & Punished NY
190. Meerabelle Jesuthasan
191. Meghan Racklin
192. Michael Abrams Dyer
193. Michael Livingston
194. Michael Salgarolo
195. Michelle Caunca
196. Michelle Horton, We Stand With Nikki
197. michelle lawrence
198. Michelle Polanco
199. Miguel Orea
200. Milo Giovanniello
201. milo v.
202. mj
203. MK Doherty, Mayor De Blasio
204. Myra Hernandez NA
205. Myra Hernandez
206. Nadia Amrani
207. Naj Wilson n/a
208. Naomi Young
209. Natalie Mattson
210. Natalie McClellan
211. Natalie Volk
212. Nathan Rodriguez
213. Nathan Rodriguez
214. Nathan Rodriguez
215. Nathan Rodriguez
216. Nicole Follmann
217. Nikole Gramm
218. Nikta Daijavad
219. Niteka Raina, NYU Law Student
220. Nora McDonnell
221. Nora Thompson
222. Olivia Abrecht
223. Olivia Biller, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice
224. Olivia Moscicki, Medical Student
225. Paloma Orozco Scott
226. Paul Legault
227. Phoebe Rossman
228. Priya Mulgaonkar
229. Queen Adesuyi
230. Rachel Foran
231. Rachel Riegelhaupt
232. Rebecca Borison
233. Rebecca Boyd
234. Reed Young, Resource Generation
235. Regina Valentine
236. Remy Kurs
237. Riddhi Cidambi
238. Robert Thibault, NYC Citizen
239. Rory
240. Rosa Palmeri
241. Rose Paxton
242. Rosza Daniel Lang/Levitsky
243. Sacharja Cunningham
244. Sam Harrell
245. Sam Jacobs
246. Sam O
247. Sam Reitzes
248. Samah Sisay, African Services Committee
249. Samantha Bosalavage
250. Sanjee Baksh
251. Sara Shamy
252. Sarah Berg
253. Sarah Duncan, MD
254. Sarah Rosenblatt
255. Sarah Swartz
256. Sedalia Jones, NYU School of Law, Class of ‘22
257. Seth J. Prins, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University
258. Shannon Burne
259. Shannon Nolan
260. Shireen Azaadi Khan
261. Shirley LaVarco
262. Sierra Morris
263. Snaeha Mathew
264. Sofia Lopez Franco
265. Taj Tucker
266. Tassos Bareiss
267. Tatiana Ades, City University of New York
268. Taylor McCandless
269. Terry Lawson
270. Tessa Briggs
271. Timothy Colman
272. tina dang
273. Tina Zafreen Alam
274. Vanessa Rendon Vasquez
275. Vera Miller
276. Vijetha Ramajayam
277. Vynessa Ortiz
278. Wendy Freedman, Clinical Psychologist
279. Xander Harris
280. Yao Chang
281. Yosmin Badie
282. Zara Nasir, The New York City Anti Violence Project
283. Zillah Eisenstein, Decarcerate Tompkins County
284. Zina Ellis
285. Zoey P, Mount sinai
