Violence Unmasked: the Men Behind the Abuse

Phyllis B. Frank, Director, VCS Domestic Violence program for Men, Lead Contributor to the NY Model for Batterer Programs, & President, Rockland County Chapter of NOW, works tirelessly against violence against women, racism, heterosexism and all forms of oppression.  Phyllis works to change the practice of court mandated offender accountability from a therapeutic model of service to one based in the belief that we must change the social norms that sanction the abuse of women - and listen to the voices of battered women and their advocates when designing such programs.  The batterer program that she began in 1978 has helped shape the NY Model for Batterer Programs.

 


Stephanie Nilva, Esq. is the Executive Director of Day One, an organization that partners with New York City youth to end dating abuse and domestic violence through community education, supportive services, legal advocacy and leadership development. Prior to establishing Day One in October 2005, Stephanie was the Director of Break the Cycle New York, which she launched as the local office of a national organization in 2003. Stephanie is an attorney and she has been working in the domestic violence field throughout her legal career, practicing family and matrimonial law, specializing in relationship abuse.

Dan Goodman, LCSW, is the Program Coordinator for the CHOICES Domestic Violence Program, located in the Bronx. Founded in 1982, CHOICES seeks to eliminate violence in intimate relationships by promoting the safety of the victims of domestic violence and by holding the batterers accountable for their actions.  In addition, CHOICES has worked diligently to form alliances with other community organizations which must all play direct roles in confronting the perpetrator.  Mr. Goodman also provides individual and group counseling to adults with chronic mental illness, and to “at risk” youth.

Sonia Ossorio is the Executive Director of the National Organization for Women-NYC, the nation’s largest organization working to advance women’s rights. Under her leadership, NOW-NYC led a two-year campaign to repeal the statute of limitations on rape in New York. A large-scale public education and media campaign were key components to this hard-fought victory for women. Ms. Ossorio crisscrossed the state meeting with legislators, local district attorneys, sexual assault service providers and concerned citizens to talk about the devastating effect this outdated law has had on women, families and  society.