Restore Domestic Violence Shelter Services in Nassau County

The Issue

In March 2025, Nassau County lost its dedicated domestic violence shelter when The Safe Center LI discontinued services due to financial challenges.

That shelter had just 17 beds, and in 2023, it operated at approximately 92% occupancy. That same year, it provided shelter to 52 adults and 30 children.

These weren’t just numbers. They were people who needed somewhere safe to go.

In 2023, Nassau County recorded 4,727 reported domestic violence victims, an increase of approximately 50% from 2020.

We tell victims of domestic violence to leave. We tell them to protect themselves and their children. We tell them to get somewhere safe.

But where are they supposed to go?

While emergency housing and other victim services may be available, they are not a substitute for a dedicated domestic violence shelter designed to meet survivors’ specific safety and support needs.

This petition calls for Nassau County and the appropriate state and local agencies to work with qualified organizations to restore dedicated domestic violence shelter services for survivors and their children.

We are asking for:

A clear, public plan to restore dedicated domestic violence shelter capacity in Nassau County.
Transparency about available funding and resources.
Collaboration between government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community partners.
Safe, accessible, specialized shelter services for individuals and families escaping abuse.
This is not a political issue. It is a human issue.

Domestic violence does not discriminate based on political affiliation, income, race, or background. Everyone deserves somewhere safe to go.

Please sign and share this petition.

Because telling someone to leave an abusive situation means nothing if we cannot help provide somewhere safe for them to go.

NicT191982 TeePetition Starter

Media inquiries

3,896

The Issue

Restore Domestic Violence Shelter Services in Nassau County

In March 2025, Nassau County lost its dedicated domestic violence shelter when The Safe Center LI discontinued services due to financial challenges.

That shelter had just 17 beds, and in 2023, it operated at approximately 92% occupancy. That same year, it provided shelter to 52 adults and 30 children.

These weren’t just numbers. They were people who needed somewhere safe to go.

In 2023, Nassau County recorded 4,727 reported domestic violence victims, an increase of approximately 50% from 2020.

We tell victims of domestic violence to leave. We tell them to protect themselves and their children. We tell them to get somewhere safe.

But where are they supposed to go?

We are asking for:

Domestic violence does not discriminate based on political affiliation, income, race, or background. Everyone deserves somewhere safe to go.

Please sign and share this petition.

Because telling someone to leave an abusive situation means nothing if we cannot help provide somewhere safe for them to go.

NicT191982 TeePetition Starter

Media inquiries

163 people signed this week

3,896

The Decision Makers

Nassau County Legislature,

18 Members

1 Responded

New York

Samantha Goetz

Nassau County Legislature - District 18

“Nassau County operates a domestic violence shelter that provides services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. This petition circulates dangerous misinformation that requires correction. In March of 2025, due to its own gross financial mismanagement, the Safe Center LI, , a private nonprofit, abruptly and without notice permanently ceased operations. Nassau County immediately took action to ensure that victims of domestic violence and sexual assault received services without interruption, purchased the shelter, and reopened the facility with a qualified service provider. Services were never interrupted for anyone in need. Nassau County’s Domestic Violence shelter is fully operational and here to help those that are suffering and in need of a safe place to stay. Organization Currently Operating the Shelter Brighter Tomorrows 516-766-9049 Date of Reopening and Current Bed Capacity The shelter reopened on January 26th, 2026. Current bed capacity is 17 beds which is congruent with what we had when the Safe Center was the operator. Confirmation of the Facility’s Physical Location We are not comfortable providing information regarding the facility’s physical location due to safety and confidentiality considerations pursuant New York Social Services Law § 459-h. Nassau County has an actively open and operated Domestic Violence Shelter. Public Intake Number and Process for Emergency Shelter Placement Nassau County offers several access points for individuals seeking to access residential domestic violence emergency shelter services. The preferred protocol for accessing emergency shelter is to contact our Nassau County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline at 516-542-0404 which is 24 hours a day and 7 days week. This hotline is operated by Domestic Violence provider Nassau County Crime Victim Center. A risk assessment is conducted, and based on the assessment, the individual is assisted with accessing residential services including shelter. Some of the other access points are for victims is to reach out directly to: Brighter Tomorrows directly at 516-766-9049. Circulo de la Hispanidad: 24/7 DV hotline 516-889-2849 Nassau County Department of Social Services - where if they say they’re a victim of DV they will be assigned a domestic violence liaison Nassau County Police Department victim may go to any police department, which are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, who will connect them to the hotline. Nassau County District Attorney's Office - Victims Services Unit (VSU): victims emotional support and services throughout their involvement in the criminal justice system. Nasau County Office of Crime Victim Advocate 516-571-1598 All of these agency will assist victims seeking domestic violence shelter to access the hotline to be accessed for shelter placement. Documentation Supporting the County’s Purchase and Reopening of the Shelter and Continuity of Services See above Throughout the transition, the established hotline number remained unchanged, and continuity of services was maintained. The hotline connected individuals to the New York State Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline, which contacted OCVA during regular business hours. After hours, the Department of Social Services hotline provided the referral pathway. Advocates remained available on call to assist individuals seeking emergency shelter, conduct risk assessments and ensure they were connected to the appropriate residential and non-residential services. I would like to note we also collaborated and still collaborate statewide to ensure that individuals experiencing domestic violence have access to shelters and the services they need not just locally but throughout the State. Additionally, the Office of Crime Victim Advocate and Circulo de la Hispanidad and several other organizations throughout Long Island continued providing services during the transition, helping ensure that individuals seeking domestic violence assistance-maintained access to community-based support including the Domestic Violence Liaison (DVL) in Department of Social Services. The Department of Social Services, Office of Crime Victim Advocate, Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, Nassau Department Police Department continued coordinating access to services throughout this period to ensure that individuals fleeing domestic violence could receive assistance without interruption.”

Scott Davis

Nassau County Legislature - District 1