Victim Services

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First Step Victim Services Program

Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (please call to schedule an appointment)
Location: Chemung and Schuyler Counties
Contact: A Victim Services Advocate at 607.535.2050; Call or text our 24/7 Hotline: 607.742.9629 or email us anytime (please call our offices during regular business hours)

The First Step Victim Services program provides advocacy & referral services to all victims of crime in Chemung and Schuyler Counties, with a strong focus on victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse. You must be an innocent victim of a crime (i.e. domestic violence, sexual assault, robbery, assault, etc.).

Services include:

  • Advocacy & Court Accompaniment
  • Community Education & Referrals
  • Compensation Claims/Benefits (Office of Victim Services Claims)
  • Domestic Violence Counseling & Education
  • Home Visits
  • Relocation Services
  • Safety Planning
  • Assistance with Orders of Protection
  • Emergency and Financial Assistance
  • Empowerment Groups
  • Transportation
  • 24/7 Support Hotline (dial 911 in an emergency)
  • Community Awareness Events & Education

Download our brochure here.

Other Services Provided:

  • In-School and Youth Education – Our Victim Services team partners with local schools to deliver age-appropriate prevention and education programs that promote healthy relationships, boundaries, and respect.
    Topics Include:
    – Healthy Relationships & Teen Dating Violence Prevention (Middle & High School)
    – Bullying & Conflict Resolution (Elementary & Middle School)
    – Boundaries, Consent, and Respect (All grade levels)
    Each presentation is tailored to the age group and specific needs of your school community.In addition to student programs, we offer presentations about the services provided through First Step Victim Services to help staff and students understand how to access support.

    Our team also provides professional trainings for educators, staff, and community partners, including:
    – Recognizing the Signs of Abuse and Trauma
    – Cycle of Abuse
    – Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue
    – Responding to Disclosures and Building Trauma-Informed Environments
    To schedule a presentation or training, please call 607-535-2050 or contact us online.

  • Safe to Say Campaign – A Safe to Say location means your location is a safe place where anyone can share what has happened or concerns, they might have about their relationships, and your Staff can provide them with the right resources. To sign up to be a Safe to Say location, please sign up here.
  • Sign up for Advocacy Alerts here.

Additional Resources: