Recognizing ‘Go Purple Day’ with Brooklyn A’s DV Program

October is an important month for Brooklyn A’s Domestic Violence Program: it both marks the nationally-recognized Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and marks the 2nd anniversary of our Domestic Violence (“DV”) unit. Today, on Go Purple Day, we join fellow service providers, survivors, and allies in bringing attention to a systemic issue that continues to harm far too many people.

At Brooklyn A, our DV Program has handled 60 clients so far this year—each with a unique story of survival, resilience, and hope —and provided counsel and advice to countless others. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a critical time to reflect on the importance of raising awareness, improving resources, and ensuring survivors can access the justice they deserve. Domestic violence (DV) can happen to anyone: as our recently published 2023 Impact Report shows, last year we helped 278 survivors across all our programs at Brooklyn A, a number mostly comprised of clients who came to us for assistance with other issues. Too often, DV cases are overlooked or misunderstood by the courts, and quality legal representation for low-income individuals remains scarce. Survivors of DV not only face abuse but are often left to navigate complex legal systems without adequate support.

Take the story of D, one of our clients who came to us seeking help to obtain an order of protection and modify custody arrangements for his child. The mother’s mental illness and emotional abuse had taken a severe toll on both D and the child. The ongoing trauma had impacted their daily lives in unimaginable ways. We are currently representing D in Nassau County Family Court, fighting to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. We drafted the petitions for custody modification and the order of protection, and we’ve been by D’s side throughout this challenging process, providing D the legal support he desperately needs.

Stories like D’s remind us that raising awareness of domestic violence is just the first step. True change comes when we, as a community, provide survivors with access to resources and the legal protections and advocacy they need to rebuild their lives. Legal resources for low-income individuals remain critically underfunded, leaving many survivors to face their abusers without the support of an attorney who recognizes the depth of their struggle. At Brooklyn A, we are committed to changing that. This month, we call on everyone to advocate for better resources, legal aid, and fair treatment from the courts to ensure all survivors can find safety, justice, and peace.

Domestic violence is a systemic issue, but together we can push for the reforms and resources needed to support those affected.