BPHN founder accused of sexual assault and
harassment of some of Bronx’s most vulnerable women
BY JASON COHEN
One of the largest nonprofi
t shelter providers in the
city had a snake at its head.
The Bronx Parent Housing
Network was founded 20
years ago by a man everyone
thought was an angel.
Victor Rivera, who overcame
drug addiction, homelessness
and incarceration,
is being accused of sexually
assaulting and / or harassing
10 women.
Rivera cried when he told
his story to the Bronx Times.
He fi rst smoked marijuana at
5, at 10 years old he was selling
weed and cocaine, and
eventually dropped out of
school at 14.
Today, no one is shedding
a tear for him as a bombshell
New York Times report has
him labeled as a sexual predator,
claiming he preyed on
women that lived in shelters,
and on employees as well.
“I have always treated the
women I work with at BPHN
with dignity and respect,”
Rivera said in a statement to
the New York Times. “These
allegations are unfair, baseless
and without merit.”
The New York Times were
informed that on one occasion,
Rivera demanded an
employee have sex with him.
When she refused he said,
“No one says no to Daddy,”
and fi red her on the spot.
Many of the women fi led
complaints, but they went
nowhere as Rivera was the
one who heard them.
What makes matters
worse is the nonprofi t that
has received $274 million
from the city since 2017 and
an additional $10 million in
COVID-19 funds.
The Bronx Parent Housing
Network wasted no time
and gave Rivera the boot.
The board has named attorney
Ululy Rafael Martinez as
its new president.
“Mr. Martinez and the
board condemn, unequivocally,
this abhorrent and
abusive conduct, and BPHN
is committed to conducting
a complete and thorough
inquiry and will fully cooperate
with the proper authorities
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BRONX TIMES REPORTER,8 FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021
investigating these
allegations to ensure that
BPHN can continue to provide
safe shelter for all,” the
board said in a statement.
“Mr. Martinez and the
board support all those who
came forward to tell their stories.
BPHN recognizes how
diffi cult this must be and is
committed to serve as a resource
for their healing, not
an obstacle. BPHN is unwavering
in its mission to help
people get back on their feet
and is steadfast in providing
life-saving services to the
residents of New York City.”
Senator Alessandra Biaggi
is disgusted with Rivera and
how he treated women.
“The people and organizations
who provide shelter
to New Yorkers experiencing
homelessness are entrusted
with the responsibility of
caring for our neighbors,
and ensuring their safety,”
Biaggi said. “The horrendous
allegations reported against
BPHN chief executive, Victor
Rivera, are in direct violation
of that duty and mission,
and put Bronx residents in
immediate danger.
I stand in solidarity with
the survivors who have
shared their experiences and
extend my deepest gratitude
for their bravery. We have an
obligation to hold perpetrators
accountable for their actions,
and ensure that powerful
men do not get away with
such egregious behavior.”
The Bronx Parent Housing
Network is also in trouble
with the city. On Sunday,
Mayor Bill de Blasio
announced an investigation
has begun into the nonprofit’s
fi nancials and sexual assault
allegations against Rivera.
He said the city has
asked BPHN to hire an independent
investigator to
examine the multiple sexual
misconduct allegations and
has directed that any complaint
to any city agency alleging
sexual misconduct
from any nonprofi t contractor
must be referred to an
independent investigatory
agency, not the nonprofi t’s
own board
“Victor Rivera must understand
that no, he is not
untouchable,” the mayor
said on Twitter.
Bronx Parent Housing Network CEO
and founder Victor Rivera is accused
of sexually assaulting and
harassing 10 women.
Photo by Jason Cohen
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