The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation have launched new trainings to help prevent domestic and sexual violence at the hundreds of parks, campgrounds, day use areas, trails, boat launches, and other public outdoor spaces operated across New York. 

The state’s seasonal hiring is underway and experts led by the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) are training many of the public-facing staff as part of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s initiative launched last year to help domestic and sexual violence victims and survivors, with the goal of providing resources, access to safety and support to save lives.

In October, Hochul announced the training as part of the state’s work to transform domestic and sexual violence service delivery to be more culturally responsive, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed. 

More than 4,000 staff who work on public lands at DEC and state parks are expected to receive the training. 

In addition, State Park Police, DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officersand Forest Rangers will continue to receive training to recognize the signs of domestic violence during their interactions with the public.

“To combat domestic and sexual violence and create safety for all survivors, there is a critical need for a better understanding of gender-based violence across all systems, the cultural intersections of domestic and sexual violence and the challenges that individuals face in accessing services,” notes a release.