Jul. 8, 2025 By Speaker Adrienne Adams and Council Member Sandra Ung
For many immigrant survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, language barriers can often be difficult to overcome, adding to the litany of overwhelming challenges they face. Many are financially dependent on their partners, while others are isolated from their family and community. Some may fear that seeking help could jeopardize their immigration status.
To better support survivors of all backgrounds, the New York City Council has established in the city budget a new Culturally Specific Gender Based Violence Initiative, which will provide $3 million in direct funding to grassroots organizations that support domestic violence survivors in immigrant communities. Through this initiative, nonprofits will continue to provide culturally specific support, including interpretation, referrals, counseling, and legal representation for U- and T-Visas.
These groups know their communities intimately and understand the cultural and linguistic barriers that often prevent survivors from seeking help. Organizations like the Korean American Family Service Center, Garden of Hope, Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, Sauti Yetu Center for African Women and Families, Violence Intervention Program (VIP), and Womankind, to name just a few, are the first—and sometimes only—place they can turn to in a moment of crisis.