More than 100 community members, victim service providers, elected officials and law enforcement leaders gathered on the Walkway Over the Hudson on Oct. 29 for Family Services’ Purple Walk to End Domestic Violence.

The event, held as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, brought together participants from Dutchess and Ulster counties in a show of regional solidarity in the fight against domestic violence.

Participants began on opposite sides of the Hudson River and walked toward one another, meeting in the center of the Walkway.

The walk was led by Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino and Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa sponsored the event.

“We stand united against domestic violence,” Serino said. “Events like today’s walk amplify our shared commitment to a community that is grounded in safety, dignity and respect for every person.”

Metzger said the participation of the two county executives — both women and members of different political parties — sent a message about the importance of working together to address domestic violence.

“I want to thank Family Services for organizing the Purple Walk to honor those impacted by domestic violence, elevate their voices, and demonstrate our shared commitment to address this epidemic of violence in our society,” Metzger said.

Leah Feldman, chief executive officer of Family Services, said the event demonstrated the importance of bringing government, law enforcement and service providers together.

“Your participation in creating a sea of purple across this iconic Walkway sends a powerful message that everyone living in this beautiful Hudson Valley has the right to be safe in their home,” Feldman said.

The event came as recent domestic violence-related deaths in Ulster County have underscored the potentially deadly consequences of intimate partner violence and the need for coordinated intervention.

Family Services works with law enforcement, government agencies, health care providers and community organizations on domestic violence prevention and victim services.

In Dutchess County, those efforts include the Lethality Assessment Program, Domestic Abuse Response Team and High Risk Team. The programs connect law enforcement with trained victim advocates and are designed to identify people at elevated risk of serious harm and coordinate interventions.

Dutchess County was the first county in New York to implement the Lethality Assessment Program more than a decade ago. The program now involves 17 law enforcement agencies, according to Family Services.

Through its Center for Victim Safety and Support, Family Services also responds to more than 5,600 hotline calls and provides crisis intervention, safety planning, counseling, legal advocacy and other services.

Imperati said combating domestic violence remains a priority for the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office.

“It is through collaborations like this that the victims of domestic violence will always be heard,” Imperati said.

Figueroa said stigma can make it more difficult for victims to seek help.
“One in three women and two in 10 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime,” Figueroa said. “Domestic violence is not only a family matter; it is a public health and public safety crisis.”

Victim service providers and community organizations at the event included Family Services’ Center for Victim Safety and Support and SNUG programs, Grace Smith House, the Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program, Family of Woodstock and the Dutchess and Ulster County sheriff’s offices.
The walk concluded with a group recitation of the Purple Promise, a call for awareness, accountability and solidarity with survivors created and led by survivor advocate Carly Wolert.

The event also highlighted concerns about funding for victim services. Family Services said it faces an approximately 33 percent reduction in funding for its Center for Victim Safety and Support following recent funding decisions by the New York State Office of Victim Services. The agency said the reduction could affect trauma therapy, advocacy, accompaniment services and community outreach.

The 2026-28 OVS contracts are awaiting approval by the state Comptroller’s Office, according to Family Services.

Family Services, founded in 1879, provides victim services, mental health care, youth programs, family support and substance use prevention services in Dutchess, Ulster and Orange counties. The agency said nearly 22,000 children, adults and families benefited from its programs last year.