Books are a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about domestic abuse, how to find support if you are in an abusive relationship, or be supportive of someone you know who is in an abusive relationship. Here are 10 books to start that education. The House...
Increasing Access for Victims

The Retreat Adds Chat Function to Website The Retreat staff is now available by chat to offer information and support to those who have been impacted by abuse and sexual assault. Reaching out for help can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never spoken to anyone about the abuse before....
Rent Law Changes During COVID-19
By Susan Bereche, Retreat Attorney In addition to extending the moratorium on evictions (and foreclosure actions) to August 19, the following modifications of state law may benefit our clients: The Real Property Law was modified to prohibit landlords, lessors, sublessors and grantors from imposing and collecting late fees and...
Facts@Five: LTV Interview
LTV’s Angela LaGreca interviews Loretta K. Davis, Executive Director, and Regina Mysliborski, Director of Counseling, both of The Retreat about how The Retreat is operating during COVID-19 and how they are giving assistance to those in domestic abuse situations as the stay-at-home order continues in New York. May 4,...
Legal Updates

By Susan Bereche, Retreat Attorney Unemployment & Undocumented Challenges As a result of the increasingly large number of New Yorkers facing termination of their employment, applications for NYS unemployment benefits are at record numbers. Many applicants have never applied for unemployment benefits before and are experiencing difficulty with the...
Important Guidance on Eviction
Important Guidance on Eviction By Susan Bereche, Staff Attorney Although we’ve already posted information regarding the moratorium on evictions, several clients have had questions regarding their rights and obligations during the pandemic. After some additional research re: housing issues, we may wish to inform our clients of the following:...
Sexual Assault is Not a Women’s Issue
By Nicole Keller, Project Coordinator of LI Safer Bars As a young woman in college, I learned it was not acceptable to walk alone and I that I should always be thinking of a safety protocol such as holding my keys in the middle of my fingers, just in...
Fatherhood Transitions through COVID-19 Shutdown
By Bruce Petrucci The Suffolk County Fatherhood Initiative (SCFI) program will continue to provide services during this pandemic, but will be done remotely for the safety of our clients, staff and community members. It is during these unprecedented times that we reflect on the heart of our program which...
Community Generosity

Message from Executive Director Loretta K. Davis Thank You So many of you have reached out to offer support and encouragement, thank you. It means so much to me and the entire staff at The Retreat. While we can’t change what’s going on in the world, we can make...
Too Much Togetherness
Survivors of domestic violence may be experiencing increased isolation and danger caused by confinement during the pandemic. Survivors often have specific needs around safety, health and confidentiality. We also realize that people who are already more vulnerable to economic and health insecurity are facing additional challenges during this unprecedented...