In a significant move against intimate partner violence, Governor Kathy Hochul has earmarked a record $20.2 million to enhance public safety responses across 17 counties outside of New York City. Announced by the Governor's office, this funding is set to support a suite of law enforcement agencies and community organizations.
The initiative, termed the Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE), is designed to buttress 87 different entities engaged in the fight against domestic abuse. "The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority, and I am committed to using every tool at our disposal to support anyone who has ever felt unsafe in their own home," Hochul stated in the press release, promising that the funding will signal to perpetrators that violence will not be tolerated. In the STRIVE initiative, a comprehensive plan is required to be developed by each county, which must include at least one evidence-based strategy to hold those who harm accountable.
With this new investment, positions for 155 individuals including investigators, crime analysts, and advocates will be created. These roles are integral to the high-functioning, multidisciplinary teams that the STRIVE program envisions to significantly diminish rates of domestic violence and enhance survivor safety. According to the Governor's office, this will "save lives and reduce violence by putting offenders on notice."
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado highlighted the STRIVE program's use of data-driven and evidence-based methods inspired by the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative to address intimate partner violence. The STRIVE initiative applies one of three proven strategies to reduce domestic violence: the Domestic Violence High-Risk Team Model, the Lethality Assessment Program for Law Enforcement, or the Intimate Partner Violence Intervention, utilizing strong data and local insights.
Additional STRIVE investments are a part of a larger safety and justice reform narrative in New York, which includes updates to the state's Discovery Laws in the FY26 Enacted Budget. Victim services, like rape crisis centers and access to HIV prophylaxis medication for all survivors of sexual assault, are among the other areas receiving increased funding.
The funding is targeted at counties selected for their domestic and intimate partner violence rates, including Suffolk, Orange, and Erie, among others. A detailed breakdown of the allocations is available online, ensuring transparency in the distribution for these community-specific programs. By utilizing the State’s Crime Analysis Centers, STRIVE-supported agencies will have access to the critical intelligence needed to construct prosecutable cases.
The funding is structured to increase coordination among law enforcement, social services, and victim support organizations, with the goal of establishing a more integrated response to intimate partner violence. It also includes involvement from community-based organizations to support a broader approach to addressing the issue.
