Death of woman pushed from balcony prompts calls for support for domestic violence survivors
For those unsure where to begin, Guzman recommends starting with the city’s helpline.
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Candles, fresh flowers and purple balloons surround Nathaly Ramirez’s photograph at a memorial in Allerton, where her death is bringing renewed attention to domestic violence and the resources available to survivors.
Ramirez, 23, offered encouragement to other survivors. Brianna, a domestic violence survivor, recalled receiving a message from Ramirez after suffering injuries.
“I had two black eyes and my nose was broken. And she reached out saying that everything was gonna be OK and I was gonna heal,” Brianna said.
Ramirez’s ex-boyfriend, Angel Carrasco, is charged with murder after police say he pushed her from a 15th-floor balcony while she was holding their 8-month-old daughter. Ramirez died. Her daughter survived.
For Ramirez’s coworker, Lishawn Alexander, remembering her means finding ways to help others.
“How can we really not let her life be just a statistic?” Alexander said.
Margarita Guzman, with VIP Mujeres, described Ramirez’s death as “another life lost when that did not have to happen.” The organization offers survivors in-person support through workshops and programs, as well as long-term assistance.
For those unsure where to begin, Guzman recommends starting with the city’s helpline.
Support is available through these resources:
NYC’s 24-hour HOPE hotline: Call 1-800-621-4673 for safety planning, shelter assistance and referrals.
NYC Family Justice Centers: Free, confidential support, including counseling, safety planning and connections to legal services. The Bronx center can be reached at 718-508-1220.
New York State Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline: Text 844-997-2121, call 1-800-942-6906, or access online chat through the website
