In the wake of a troubling increase in domestic violence cases in Flushing, community leaders are rallying residents to come together in support of victims and to heighten awareness of available resources. A recent seminar titled “Family Harmony and Community Safety” took place at the Flushing Library, organized by the New York Asian Women’s Center, the NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV), and the office of Council Member Sandra Ung. The event aimed to shed light on domestic violence issues and to provide vital support and resources for those affected.

Council Member Sandra Ung highlighted the significant toll that domestic violence takes on families. “As a former attorney, I’ve worked closely with many victims of domestic violence and understand the immense challenges they encounter. Through this event, I aim to connect more individuals with essential services and help them realize that support is available,” she remarked.

Liu Yuanfen, Executive Director of the New York Asian Women’s Center, underscored that domestic violence transcends age and gender boundaries, with incidents often emerging not only between partners but sometimes even involving children attacking their parents. She emphasized that preventing domestic violence hinges on emotional regulation and effective communication, noting that the rise of social media has impacted people’s abilities to engage in meaningful conversations.

Liu urged community members to recognize that “domestic violence is not merely a private issue; it poses a threat to community safety.” She particularly encouraged new immigrants to promptly call 911 during incidents of domestic violence, emphasizing that police assistance is available in Chinese. “Our ultimate goal is to create an environment where everyone can live free from violence and fear,” she affirmed.

The seminar included two focused legal sessions. Alexandra Chen from the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) led a workshop titled “Safety Planning and Legal Resources for Domestic Violence Victims,” specifically catering to the Asian community. This session addressed common patterns of domestic violence and provided practical safety planning strategies. Meanwhile, Erika Bertelsen from Legal Services NYC facilitated a discussion on the unique challenges women of color and low-income women face due to domestic violence, stressing the critical need for legal support within these communities.

Additional organizations such as Safe Horizon and the Korean American Family Service Center also participated in the event. Bilingual resources and multilingual services were made available on-site to ensure that community members from various linguistic backgrounds could access the assistance they needed.