Candles, fresh flowers and purple balloons surround Nathaly Ramirez\u2019s photograph at a memorial in Allerton, where her death is bringing renewed attention to domestic violence and the resources available to survivors.<\/p>\n
Ramirez, 23, offered encouragement to other survivors. Brianna, a domestic violence survivor, recalled receiving a message from Ramirez after suffering injuries.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d Brianna said.<\/p>\n
Ramirez\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
For Ramirez\u2019s coworker, Lishawn Alexander, remembering her means finding ways to help others.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow can we really not let her life be just a statistic?\u201d Alexander said.<\/p>\n
Margarita Guzman, with VIP Mujeres, described Ramirez\u2019s death as \u201canother life lost when that did not have to happen.\u201d The organization offers survivors in-person support through workshops and programs, as well as long-term assistance.<\/p>\n
For those unsure where to begin, Guzman recommends starting with the city\u2019s helpline.<\/p>\n
Support is available through these resources:<\/p>\n
NYC\u2019s 24-hour HOPE hotline<\/a>: Call 1-800-621-4673 for safety planning, shelter assistance and referrals.<\/p>\n