(New York, NY, January 12, 2021) – The members of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) applauds Governor Andrew Cuomo’s attention to combatting domestic and gender-based violence. The State of the State message delivered by Governor Cuomo on January 11, 2021 includes a series of initiatives that he will advance to address these troubling issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, incidences of domestic violence have spiked.  Agencies serving victims in all regions of the state have seen huge increases in calls, texts, and messages from victims, including those forced to shelter in place with their abusers.  The pandemic has also affected the ability of victims to seek relief in the Courts, as the legal system strives under unprecedented financial pressures to navigate the challenges of the pandemic.

WBASNY thanks Governor Cuomo for his continued focus on addressing domestic and gender-based violence, and we look forward to working with him on these and other important initiatives that advance of the status of women and promote the fair and equal administration of justice throughout the state.

###

The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) is the professional membership organization of choice for more than 4,000 attorneys throughout New York State, and the largest statewide women’s bar association in the country.  For four decades, WBASNY has been a singularly important resource for women lawyers, with professional networking, continuing legal education programming, leadership training, and advocacy for the rights of women, children, and families.  Through involvement with WBASNY’s 20 regional chapters and its 40-plus substantive law committees, WBASNY’s members collaborate with one another on a variety of issues and perform public and community service, in furtherance of its mission to promote the advancement of the status of women in society and women in the legal profession; to promote the fair and equal administration of justice; and to act as a unified voice for its members with respect to issues of statewide, national and international significance to women generally and women attorneys in particular. WBASNY holds United Nations NGO status with the U.N.’s Department of Public Information, and Special Consultative status in association with the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). WBASNY is also a founding member of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations.