Gabby Petito’s grandmother revealed a want on what would have been the tragic Lengthy Island native’s twenty sixth birthday Wednesday — saying she would really like a deliberate home violence middle named in her honor.
“That’s a great idea, I would love that,” Grandma Mary Wickman informed The Submit after a information convention in Levittown, the place Nassau County officers outlined a brand new push to broaden companies for victims of home abuse. “There are more animal shelters in Long Island than there are shelters for women and abuse victims.”
Nassau County Government Bruce Blakeman stated the county is contemplating a everlasting county-run middle after the biggest home violence shelter, the Protected Heart, closed March 14 in a flap with the nonprofit who runs it.
The county has moved operations to Nassau College Medical Heart and Blakeman stated there are talks with two different nonprofits to take over companies at one other location.
“We want to make sure our county, which has been named the safest county in America, is also safe for those who are potentially victims of domestic violence,” Blakeman stated outdoors of Miller’s Ale Home, the place a fundraiser was deliberate Thursday the place 20% of proceeds would profit the Gabby Petito Basis.
Blakeman and the opposite Nassau officers additionally introduced they’re now engaged on a plan that can make sure the county has “the best program in the United States to combat domestic violence” — together with a long run plan that expands county-wide shelters, facilities, hotlines, child-care choices and counseling.
There isn’t any timetable on when this plan will probably be launched or carried out.
Petito was killed by her abusive fiancé, Brian Laundrie, in in a 2021 case that gribbed the nation and introduced renewed consideration about home violence and figuring out incidents of abuse earlier than they flip lethal.
Lengthy Island, in keeping with the state well being division, has among the lowest charges of home violence within the state.
Nonetheless, Nassau County District Legal professional Anne Donnelly defined that home violence can also be some of the underreported crimes within the county, possible contributing to the unbelievably low variety of instances.
“We have to change this, we have to change it through awareness, through education, through new laws,” she stated.
Some on the opposite facet of the aisle, nonetheless, are already fearful about damaged guarantees and are sad in regards to the lack of particulars within the county’s announcement.
County Legislator Koslow, a Democrat who’s working towards Blakeman in November, accused the county government of merely trying to shift focus along with his incomplete plan “while women continue to suffer.”
“It feels as though these survivors are being victimized twice — first by their abusers, and now by their own county executive,” Koslow informed The Submit. “Blakeman owes an apology to the women and families of Nassau County, along with an immediate, transparent, and actionable plan to ensure sustainable, quality support services moving forward.”
In response, Blakeman referred to as Koslow’s assertion on Gabby Petito’s birthday “shameful.”
“No surprise coming from a criminal defense attorney who once specialized in defending sexual predators. Disgraceful,” Blakeman stated to The Submit.
