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Domestic Violence & Victim Assistance Programs
Domestic Violence Program
Our Domestic Violence Program provides survivors with intellectual disabilities with essential information, resource referrals, advocacy with law enforcement and the criminal justice system to ensure their voice is being heard, emergency counseling, survivor rights guidance, intensive case management, and continuous support to help survivors safely and permanently leave abusive relationships.
Our transitional housing program provides rental assistance for survivors with disabilities seeking safe, stable housing while rebuilding financial independence. Case management and economic empowerment services are also offered for those living in agency-supported housing.
HOPE of WNY is a collaboration between Community Service for Every1 and the Family Justice Center, funded through the Office of Violence Against Women. The collaboration was created with the goal of improving access to domestic violence services and prevention education for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). This coalition also ensures those with I/DD experiencing domestic violence are identified and linked to the specialized resources that will help lead them on their journey toward healing.
Services offered include:
- Providing education and outreach which focuses on recognizing and preventing domestic violence in the I/DD population to organizations that provide services to victims of domestic violence.
- Providing training and support to those who may be supporting someone with I/DD involved in a domestic violence situation. This includes agencies that provide domestic violence and/or I/DD services, as well as other organizations or institutions who may encounter someone with I/DD in a domestic violence situation (i.e., law enforcement, health care providers, etc.). These services will increase the awareness, skills, and comfort level to those in the support role.
- Providing technical assistance to organizations through identifying and enhancing policies and procedures to remove barriers that have limited those with I/DD access to domestic violence services.
- Providing information on available domestic violence services, including where to go to obtain crisis intervention.
- This collaboration is defining domestic violence to include a pattern of coercive tactics that are used to gain and maintain power and control in an ongoing, familiar relationship. These forms of abuse include psychological, emotional, physical, sexual, stalking, threats of violence, and/or economic, and may be used in any combination.
To learn more about HOPE of WNY and its training and technical assistance, contact the Domestic Violence Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator at 716-604-8960.
View the HOPE of WNY Resource Directory
Victim Assistance Program
Community Services offers assistance for those who have been victims of any crime. We specialize in serving those with disabilities that have experienced domestic violence. For more information, please contact the Casework Empowerment Liaison at (716) 949-6678.
Additional Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance* Program Support
- Transitional Housing Financial Assistance
- Safety Planning
- Case Management – Advocacy, Linkage, and Referral
- NYS Office of Victim Services Claims for Compensation Application
- Pursuing Restitution
- Navigating the Criminal & Civil Justice System
- Navigating Appropriate Housing Resources
*Those receiving services do not have to have a diagnosis of I/DD to be eligible for most services.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.
You can reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline via phone at 1-800-799-7233, text 88788, or live chat on their website https://www.thehotline.org/
To learn more about our Domestic Violence and Victims Services, or if you or someone you know is in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, contact our Casework Empowerment Liaison at 716-949-6678.