N.Y. Social Services Law § 481-a: Legislative findings and purpose

§ 481-a. Legislative findings and purpose. For the past decade,

society has witnessed broad changes in family structure. These changes

have created unique stresses on our children as well as on those who

care for them. Among the most dire results of family stresses is the

increasing frequency of child abuse and maltreatment, represented by a

steady increase in reports of abuse and maltreatment to the statewide

central register of child abuse and maltreatment. Additionally nearly

one-fifth of homicides, and an even larger proportion of assaults occur

within the home between members of families. Among the contributing

causes of family violence are economic stress, social isolation, drug

and alcohol abuse, parental attitude regarding discipline and child

rearing, as well as acceptance of violence as a way of life. The

reported incidents of both adult domestic violence and child abuse and

maltreatment ( including intergenerational family violence) represent

only a portion of the total number of incidents in the pervasive and

persistent problem of family violence. The development and support of

prevention programs for child abuse and maltreatment and domestic

violence (including intergenerational family violence) and services to

victims of family violence is, therefore, of major importance to the

state.

It is the intent of the legislature that the funds for the William B.

Hoyt Memorial children and family trust fund shall be a new source of

funding which shall increase the funds available for prevention and

treatment services to victims of family violence. The legislature does

not intend that these funds be used as a substitute for any funds

currently available from federal, state or local sources for the

provision of prevention or treatment services to these victims.