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Safe, inviting places offered for domestic violence victims

The 2009 death of Aasiya Zubair Hassan, a wife and mother, forced the Orchard Park community to stop and pause.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Aasiya Zubair Hassan was only 36 years old when her life ended at the hands of her husband. The way she lived her life and the circumstances surrounding her death left impression on many people in Western New York.

Mary Travers Murphy will proudly share the story of the Family Justice Center and the satellite location dedicated to Aasiya's memory. 

She remembers when Aasiya owned and worked in the Orchard Park 7-Eleven.

"She engaged everyone who walked in," Travers Murphy said. 

The 2009 death of the wife and mother forced the Orchard Park community to stop and pause.

"The community adored her respected and appreciated her and it woke up the community's eyes to this public health crisis that is domestic violence," Travers Murphy said.

Travers Murphy was not happy to see Muzzammil "Mo" Hassan's interview where he continued to portray himself as a victim.

"Perpetrators never take responsibility for the abuse. Their goal is to brainwash the victim and everybody else in the community that she (the victim) somehow caused it and was responsible for it. Perpetrators love to talk about how they are the victim this is a larger society problem. It's about violence," she said.

It is why the Family Justice Center is so important. It gives victims of domestic violence a place to go that is safe and inviting.

"Do you need an order of protection, no problem, we Skype with the attorney referee on bench at Family Court so you don't even have to leave here," Travers Murphy said.

Linda Dynel never met Aasiya Hassan. She is a survivor of domestic violence and author of "Finding Dorian."

"I dedicated Leaving Dorian to her (Aasiya) because I lived and she died and I wanted to find a way to honor her. She did not deserve to die," Dynel said.

Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said after he watched the Hassan interview it was clear there was no remorse.

"Classic case of a perpetrator continuing to manipulate acting as he is the victim," Flynn said. "There was zero evidence of any violence on her part, zero evidence of any abuse on her part."

He added: "He brutally murdered his wife in one of the most horrific crimes we've seen in the history of WNY. He had no remorse then, he has no remorse now and of all people he deserves to spend the rest of his life and die in prison."

Travers Murphy said abusers are control freaks.

"It takes about seven or eight attempts before a person permanently leaves an abusive relationship," she said. 

Anyone can be victimized by domestic violence. Victims can be of any age, sex, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, education, employment, or marital status. Although both men and women can be abused, most domestic violence is committed against women by their male partners or ex-partners.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there is help available. Below are places offering resources and services:

  • Family Justice Center (information/counseling services), (716) 558-7233
  • Crisis Services (24-hour hotline), (716) 834-3131
  • Cornerstone Manor (shelter for women and children), (716) 852-0761
  • Haven House (24-hour hotline), (716) 884–6000
  • Niagara County Violence Intervention Program - 438-3301
  • Niagara County Victims Assistance Unit - 438-3306 
  • Pinnacle (formerly Family & Children’s Services) - Hotline: 299-0909 / Offices: 285-6984

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