25 Feb NYSCASA Responds to Accusations Against Governor Cuomo

For Immediate Release: February 25, 2021

Contact: NYSCASA staff, info@nyscasa.org

The New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault Responds to Accusations Against Governor Cuomo

Sexual harassment and abusive behavior are unacceptable in any workplace. The highest level of New York State government is no exception.

When we commit to the work to end sexual violence and support survivors, we must hold ourselves to the same—if not higher—standards to which we hold others. We must make violence prevention an everyday practice, including in our workplaces. This includes creating a culture of consent, in which we respect the dignity, autonomy, and boundaries of our peers, and we intervene with care when our peers have violated the consent of others. When we fail to meet these standards, we undermine our efforts to end violence, and we betray all who look to us for leadership and positive change.

We echo calls for an independent investigation into Governor Cuomo’s workplace behavior. We will continue to advocate for policies that prevent workplace sexual harassment and abuse and promote mechanisms for accountability and healing.

To all who have done harm and to those who have enabled harm: We invite you to listen to survivors and reflect on what they have shared. We invite you to seek support to identify opportunities for meaningful accountability and transformation.

To all who have experienced harm: We believe you. We’re standing alongside you. You are not alone.

If you have experienced sexual assault, abuse, or harassment, know that resources are available to you.

• Call the New York State Hotline for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence for 24/7, free, and confidential support at 1-800-942-6906, or contact your county’s rape crisis center to speak with an advocate: https://nyscasa.org/get-help/find-your-local-rape-crisis-program.
• Text or chat with a professional at the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. New Yorkers seeking help can text 1-844-997-2121 or chat on OPDV’s new confidential website at www.opdv.ny.gov.
• Find culturally appropriate domestic violence and sexual assault support services:
  • Black survivors can contact Black Women’s Blueprint: 1-646-256-1242
  • Deaf and hard-of-hearing survivors can contact IGNITE: DeafIGNITE@gmail.com or 1-585-286-2713
  • Latina/o, Latinx. and Spanish-speaking survivors can contact Casa de Esperanza: 1-651-772-1611
  • LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors can contact the Anti-Violence Project: 1-212-714-1141
  • Native survivors can contact the StrongHearts Native Helpline by calling 1-844-7NATIVE (1-844-762-8483), or Seven Dancers Coalition: www.sevendancerscoalition.com/resources-in-nys
  • Transgender and gender non-conforming survivors can contact the Trans Lifeline Peer Support Hotline: 1-877-565-8860
  • Survivors whose primary language is not English can call Womankind’s 24-hour multilingual helpline: 1-888-888-7702

The New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault is a private, non-profit coalition of community-based rape crisis programs located throughout New York State. NYSCASA’s mission is to end all forms of sexual violence and exploitation, and to address the impacts of sexual assault.

Click here to download this statement as a PDF.