Mineola, N.Y.-- Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, in recognition of October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, today joined with Deputy Commissioner of Social Services Dr. Louise Skolnik; Executive Director of the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence Sandy Oliva; and Burt Napear Founder of Men Against Violence Against Women; to announce the goal of making Nassau a "family violence-free zone."

County Executive Suozzi and Executive Director of the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence Sandy Oliva, tying ribbons on the Domestic Violence Memorial Tree as part of the Annual Family Violence Ribbon Ceremony.

"Family violence is not acceptable under any circumstance in Nassau County," said County Executive Suozzi. "It is essential that we provide the services and education to maintain a strong stance against domestic violence of any type. And it is imperative that we reach out to the victims of domestic abuse because of the many that are estimated to be abused in Nassau County right now, only a small few are getting the help they truly need."

Last October, the County Executive also launched the County's Task Force on Family Violence. The new Nassau County Taskforce has been a key step forward in working towards an end to family violence and is comprised of representatives of 30 public and private agencies. The Task Force is co-chaired by Ms. Oliva, and Dr. Skolnik.

Since its inception, the Task Force on Family Violence has developed a resource directory and a panel of experts to provide information to the general public, has created training modules to assist those working to combat child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse in Nassau County, and has appointed a University Advisory committee, which has already sponsored a seminar on student education initiatives.

"Domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse affect every community in this County. Clearly, we still have much hard work to do to make Nassau a family violence-free zone," said County Executive Suozzi. "But the members of this Task Force are committed to achieving this goal, and that's good news for the families of Nassau County."

Following the announcement, the County Executive joined with those present to tie ribbons around the Domestic Violence Memorial Tree, located on the South Side of Nassau County Court, as part of the Annual Family Violence Ribbon Ceremony.