Meeting with Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski on the 30th....

Tonight I want to inform my readers that I was invited to meet with my Assemblyman, Ken Zebrowski (representing Rockland County NY), to discuss domestic violence issues for the State of NY. This meeting is very important for me and for the victims that I support everyday. For one year, I have been writing for this cause, and pointing out very obvious flaws in domestic violence organizations, agencies, Coalitions, and state programs. I am grateful that Assemblyman Zebrowski is willing to listen to my concerns about failing services for domestic violence victims, and I hope I will be able to inspire our state official to take action for all who suffer through failing DV services and organizations that endlessly refer and pass victims around like hot potatoes.

I plan on going to this meeting fully prepared, with my lists of failing services in hand, with my list of victims that were also turned away and given little to no assistance from agencies designed to help them. Tonight I am asking you to send me lists of Coalitions, state programs, DV organizations that have failed you and why. I want to make sure I am properly representing victims of domestic violence and the most important issues at hand. Please send me your lists and a short summary of why services have failed you, and what you want to see changed for DV victims. I would appreciate any input at this time, as I want to make sure I cover everything in detail and leave nothing out of this meeting.

Please send me your lists and suggestions: maria.phelps@hotmail.com

Good Samaritan Hospital Offering to Accept DV Victims through CVB Payment Plans

After a bit of a struggle, and many letters to CVB and my local shelter, I have an in person, one on one session with a domestic violence therapist scheduled this week. The Good Samaritan Hospital was the only other option I had in Rockland County NY for domestic abuse counseling, the other option being VCS, Inc. for sliding scale fees. For me, it is important to get a few counseling sessions with a therapist in my area, and this hospital accepts CVB payment plans (that is another benefit). For those victims that do not have a CVB claim in NYS, free domestic violence counseling resources are scarce and places like VCS, Inc. offer services, but for a small payment depending on your income. Unfortunately, domestic violence counseling resources are limited and very hard to obtain if you don't have cash, insurance, or a CVB claim number. Unlike sexual assault victims, many domestic violence victims cannot obtain free counseling through local shelters. I was a bit confused when I learned Rockland Family Shelter, a shelter for domestic violence victims, did not offer free therapy for DV victims, but offered free counseling for sexual assault victims. Something to ponder.

No counseling for victims of domestic violence in Rockland County NY

Congressman Engel/Assemblyman Zebrowski/Senator Morahan/Carolyn Fish/Ms. Cusack/Ms. Cobart:


For those who do not know my situation, I am a survivor of domestic violence in NYS. For over a year, I have tried hard to get help from DV organizations, agencies, and state programs and after many attempts, letters, and phone calls, I have failed. I have been trying to receive compensation from CVB for a very long time now, and still I am struggling with CVB on a daily basis. Many DV victims struggle with compensation from CVB, and in the end, give up because the process is too difficult, and too many documents are needed (many DV victims cannot supply all the requested information for many reasons).

Although I am still dealing with CVB everyday, I also deal with this reality: There is no real help for DV victims. There are many who think there is help available, especially after one reads about all the money being funneled into DV organizations, shelters, and programs, but there is simply no help. When I state that there is no help, I mean that there is a lack of DV court advocates in NY, a lack of DV counselors willing to assist DV victims, almost no pro bono DV divorce lawyers for abuse victims, and laws that don't reflect reality for victims of this crime. After visiting the CVB website in NYS, I was surprised to see all of the programs given grants to aid DV victims this year. Being that I am a victim of brutal domestic violence myself, I thought it would be at least possible to ask my shelter for free counseling for the trauma I have been through. After two weeks of waiting, there is still no answer for me unless I have the money to pay. There are "volunteer" counseling services like VCS in Rockland, but they want victims to pay out of pocket. Other therapists in the area will not work with CVB payment plans. And since CVB is taking so long to compensate me, that can't be an option anyway. Many victims of DV are completely financially ruined after abuse and divorce, and have nothing left. I would think it would be relatively easy to find free volunteer counseling for this crime, but it is impossible.

When I read statements like this "Ten non-profit organizations that assist crime victims in the greater Capital Region, New York City and Western New York are slated to receive nearly $3 million over the next three years to enhance programs and services for children and adults who have been victims of sexual assault, domestic violence or other crimes." I am confused.

When I see this “These grants will assist the most vulnerable victims of particularly devastating crimes – sex crimes and domestic violence – by providing access to direct support, such as counseling, help obtaining orders of protection, and accompaniment to court. This assistance is critical in helping victims deal with trauma and begin to rebuild their lives.” I wonder, who are these victims?

I am not one of these victims, and none of the victims I know in NYS, or even across this country, fall into this category.


Today I want to request a meeting with my state representatives. The lack of response and assistance is shocking, shameful, and it's no longer about me anymore. I have to lay my problems aside everyday because I know there is a bigger picture here, and we are all ignoring it together.

I look forward to hearing from you Congressman Engel, Assemblyman Zebrowski, and Senator Morahan.

Thank you.

Maria Phelps
www.4survivors.blogspot.com

Seeking Therapy In NYS, possible or impossible?

I think I can make this generalization: The DV victim that reaches out to a DV shelter has either no hope, no money, or no where to go. Well, I have a place to go, but I'm out of hope, and running out of money. So, naturally, I rely on Rockland Family Shelter (RFS) for support. For 1 year now, RFS has been offering me counseling, therapy for the abuse I have endured, the trauma that I've buried. I turned them down every time the offer was made, I didn't have the time a year back. I recently made the decision to seek counseling for domestic violence, so I phoned my local shelter and asked for a reference (silly me). They took a week to respond with an answer, fully cognizant of the fact that I am out of cash and can't afford anymore co-payments (CVB is taking too long to compensate me for my medical expenses and I'm running out of funds). They gave me the number to VCS, Inc.--a volunteer counseling service in my area that helps people with a number of problems and issues. I got in touch with a woman who spent about 15 seconds on the phone with me and told me about their $40 initial consultation and their sliding scale rates. News flash: Most DV victims have been hit hard, no, not only physically, but in the pocket book. To be frank, I go to 3 doctors every week, and pay co-pays for all three. CVB, a state program for innocent victims of crime, can barely compensate me for the money I've paid out of pocket for my doctor visits--so, no, I can't afford $40 and sliding scale fees each week on top of everything else. Many DV victims can't afford anything, period. But, they still need help. RFS reported to me that the therapists they have called will not accept payments through NYS Crime Victims Board, and I'm still waiting on one other therapist in the area to respond to RFS about accepting me as a patient.

So my new journey begins. I have explored DV organizations, state programs, and agencies, and shelters, and Coalitions, and the almighty CVB in NYS...now I'm on to seek therapy for domestic violence in NY. I know this will be an impossible journey, just like everything else I've gone through involving DV. The truth is, there really is no help for DV victims, unless of course you have a big bank account, with endless funds to spend on medical treatments, doctor appointments, and mental therapy. I'm not one of those high class DV victims, I guess. I'm tired of handing out my money to doctors all because of a crime that was committed against me.