Victim Services

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 Education – Teen Dating Violence Prevention, Bullying Prevention
  First Step Victim Services’ Youth Outreach Services include attending local schools and providing program information and prevention education on teen dating violence (high school) and bullying (elementary and middle school). Please contact us to schedule a presentation or event at 607.535.2050.

Additional Resources:

• Financial Abuse
• How to Finance a Move
• Male Survivor Guide
• NYS Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline: 1-800-942-6906 (24/7)
  (English & Español, Multi-language Accessibility, 711 National Relay Service if you are Deaf or Hard of Hearing)
• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
• National Center for Victims of Crime
• Office for Victims of Crime
• Office of Victim Services – New York State
• Office of Victim Services – Pennsylvania
• Recognizing the Signs of Human Trafficking
• Regaining Independence After Experiencing Domestic Violence
• Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
• Steps to Protect Yourself
• Warning Signs of Child Sexual Abuse
• What is Sexual Assault?