Gender-Based Violence Regional Councils

The Domestic Violence Regional Councils (DVRCs) originated from a series of listening sessions with domestic violence service providers across the state, at which participants noted current methods of communication across systems and regions were decentralized and inconsistent. As a result, the 2019 New York State Domestic Violence Task Force proposed the creation of DVRCs to examine how services and resources were being delivered region by region. In 2020, the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV), along with our sister state agencies, launched the DVRC initiative. In 2025, they were renamed Gender-Based Violence Regional Councils (GBVRCs) to better represent the scope of work being addressed.

The goal of the DVRCs is a collaborative reimagining of a more survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive domestic violence service delivery system. To achieve this goal, it is important to get input from all systems in the field to better understand what statewide policies and programs are needed and if there are any statutory or regulatory barriers to be addressed. Information gained from the DVRC meetings is compiled on an on-going basis and presented to the NYS Domestic Violence Advisory Council, state agency leadership, the Office of the Governor, and the state Legislature for consideration when making policy and programmatic decisions. Where systemic barriers that can immediately be addressed are identified, state agencies have the information to act in a responsive manner and remove such barriers.

The work of the regional councils informs policy recommendations, training initiatives, significant system investments and innovative collaborations. Led by local co-chairs, the DVRCs are intended to be comprised of representatives and providers from domestic violence service programs, local departments of social services, law enforcement, courts, probation, legal services, education, health care, mental health and substance use professionals, and other relevant stakeholders. OPDV’s sister state agencies are 2023-2024 Domestic Violence Regional Council Report 4 important partners in this work, including the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Office of Court Administration (OCA), Office of Victim Services (OVS), Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (OPCA), Division of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) and Department of Health (DOH). These agencies, along with statewide nonprofit partners, are invited and encouraged to attend each meeting. DVRC meeting topics can include challenges occurring across systems, opportunities for increased collaboration, funding opportunities, or any other of-the-moment issues impacting survivors in the region.

• 2020-2021 DVRC Report
• 2023 DVRC Update
• 2023-2024 DVRC Report

View the video recap from the Spring 2024 Capital Region DVRC

The next round of GBVRCs will be held in Spring 2026. Register below:

For more information, email [email protected].