SVAM Archives - NYC Anti-Violence Project

AVP icon Victoria “Miss Vickie” Cruz reflects on the work healing from violence in “Pieces of Us” documentary.

May 31, 2023

Victoria “Miss Vickie” Cruz is a living legend and a well-known part of AVP history. Miss Vickie, a self-identified Stonewall veteran, broke a lot of barriers, including being the first transgender woman of color to receive the National Crime Victim Service Award from then-Attorney General Eric Holder. Miss Vickie supported survivors of all forms of violence, including intimate partner violence Her work helping survivors of hate violence whi[...]

Q & A with AVP Hotline Volunteers

May 15, 2023

New York City Anti-Violence Project’s (AVP’s) Hotline helps survivors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as they look to find resources and support before, during and after experiencing violence or harm. The hotline is staffed by trained crisis counselors and provides direct crisis intervention services to LGBTQ+ people, as well as people living with HIV, who are survivors of all forms of violence. This includes, but is not lim[...]

AVP condemns attempts by Republican New York State legislators to introduce anti-trans bills targeting youth

April 14, 2023

The NYC Anti-Violence Project strongly condemns any attempts by NYS Republican legislators to mimic the violent anti-trans legislation that is currently sweeping the nation here in New York, including the most recent bills S6259 and A6124, introduced by Sen. George Borrello and Rep. Andy Goodell. The New York we know aims to protect its LGBTQ community members, and this type of legislation has no place anywhere, especially here. This unnece[...]

AVP’s Walk-In Hours Now 4-Days-A-Week!

As the weather warms up and Pride season approaches, AVP is expanding our in-office walk-in hours! AVP’s walk-in hours are available four-days-a-week, Monday-Thursday from 12-4 PM at our lower Manhattan office. At our walk-in consultations, we explore all the ways AVP can support you, including free crisis counseling, legal consultations, and advocacy support. We will work with you to identify your priorities and connect you with the[...]

WEDNESDAY: Family of Black Gay Man Killed by NYPD Rally with Elected Officials & Groups to Fire Cops

April 10, 2023

Kawaski Trawick’s Family Travels From Georgia to Mark Four-Year Anniversary of Killing and Meet With Civilian Complaint Review Board Before April 24th Discipline Trial On Wednesday, April 12 at 1 p.m. – Following a meeting with the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) and just days before the four-year anniversary of the NYPD killing of Kawaski Trawick – family members, elected officials and community organizations across New York City[...]

#QueerSVAM: What is Sexual Violence?

April 4, 2023

April is Sexual Violence Awareness Month, an important time to raise awareness, support survivors, and highlight ways we can end this type of violence. Nationwide, the conversations focus on heterosexual, cisgender survivors, erasing survivors' experiences across the spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations. At AVP, we work daily to amplify the voices and honor the lived experiences of LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of violence. [...]

Survey: “We need help!” Three in five LGBTQ+ organizations nationwide experienced anti-LGBTQ hate incidents in 2022.

February 22, 2023

Nearly 300 American businesses, organizations and groups led by or serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people completed the inaugural LGBTQ Safe Spaces Protection Project National Needs Assessment survey so far. The online survey, conducted by the New York City Anti-Violence Project and Strength in Numbers Consulting Group, measured anti-LGBTQ hate incidents against LGBTQ spaces, businesses and organizations across the U[...]

AVP Walk-In Hours Are Back!

January 30, 2023

Being there for our community is what we do at AVP, and for the first time since 2020, we are thrilled to announce the return of office walk-in hours! AVP's services are designed by and for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, queer and non-binary people, and people living with HIV who have also experienced violence or harm. Our free and confidential support is for people in our communities who have experienced [...]

Community Alert: AVP responds to recent news reports on suspicious LGBTQ deaths

November 16, 2022

Like many in our community, AVP shares in the concern for our safety in light of recent reporting around the suspicious deaths of Julio Ramirez and John Umberger, and the possible drugging and robbery of other LGBTQ bar patrons in New York City. According to reports, Ramirez and Umberger were found dead after possibly being drugged while visiting bars. According to reports, thousands of dollars were also taken from their accounts. Supporting our[...]

A Look Back at the 2022 Courage Awards

November 15, 2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DseJM6ePkg We were thrilled to celebrate our 2022 Courage Award honorees last month. We had a beautiful night at Tribeca Rooftop dancing the night away and celebrating queer lives. Here’s a little look at the fun. Your gift to Courage supported AVP in the work of lifting up lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and ed[...]

New TGNCNB report highlights recommendations for District Attorneys

November 10, 2022

A new report issued by Trans Equity Consulting and the Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming and Non-Binary Working Group (TGNCNB) to the Manhattan DA’s office highlights ways the office, and other District Attorney’s offices around the country can be more inclusive to their Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming and Non-Binary community members seeking help from the office. Trans Equity Consulting led the working group of members of the D.A.’s o[...]

AVP Announces New Board Members

October 6, 2022

The New York City Anti-Violence Project is pleased to announce seven new members of our Board of Directors, installed during our summer board meetings. These accomplished individuals will bring years of expertise and knowledge to help shape AVP’s organizational and programmatic work through the completion of AVP’s new three-year strategic plan. AVP’s Board of Directors is a group of distinguished professionals from a variety of industrie[...]