New York elected officials, domestic violence survivors and prevention advocates announced on Tuesday at City Hall that the council had allocated $6 million to support domestic violence programs and initiatives.

October is nationally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month to tackle a nationwide epidemic that has affected one in four women during their lifetime and more than 3,000 children witness annually.

The funds are distributed between several organizations: CONNECT Inc. Community Empowerment program receives $600,000; Domestic Violence and Empowerment (DoVE) initiatives receives $4 million; Immigrant Battered Women's Initiative receives $1 million; and HRA Legal Services for Domestic Violence Victims receives $350,000.

The chair of the Women's Issues Committee, Councilmember Laurie A. Cumbo, said, "Since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act nearly 20 years ago our nation's response to domestic violence has greatly improved. ... What was too often seen as a private matter best hidden behind closed doors is now a national conversation and of great concern. Domestic violence is an issue that transcends gender, age, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. ... Domestic Violence Awareness Month is our annual call to action to stop the violence."

Attending the announcement was Public Advocate Letitia James, who said the number of calls made by the New York Police Department regarding domestic violence incidents between 2012 and 2013 were over 263,000, an increase by 17,000 -- an average of 700 calls a day. James stressed the matter should be treated as a public health issue.

Brooklyn City Councilmember Jumaane D. Williams said if domestic violence wasn't seen as just a women's issue, more would be done to end the epidemic.

"Far too many victims suffer in silence for fear or retaliation or even the stigma of being labeled 'victim'. This is not just a women's issue: It's a community issue, a family issue, a children's issue and a man's issue as well. As men, we have a responsibility to ensure that we treat our partners with the utmost respect," Williams said.

A domestic violence survivor attending the announcement, Destiny Mabry, said adequate information about violence of any kind is important for healthy relationships, families and communities. 

"Young people experience an ongoing cycle of abuse, so raising awareness and offering resources to survivors, particularly young survivors, is important," Mabry said.

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