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Program Description Domestic Violence The Crisis Services Advocate Program is the NYS State Department of Health Designated Rape Crisis Center for Erie County. It is also a NYS-approved Non-residential domestic violence service provider. The Advocate Program provides 24 hour a day, 7 day a week confidential response and support for survivors of rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, family violence and elder abuse. Crisis Services is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of the community through prevention, education, immediate intervention, and access to community-wide resources 24 hours a day. The Advocate Program provides currently has 18 staff comprised of domestic violence and family violence case managers, sexual assault case managers, an elder abuse specialist, a training specialist, therapists and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator. Services that survivors are offered include: 24 Hour Hotline available for information, referrals or immediate assistance; immediate crisis intervention and support at all Erie County Emergency Departments; case management services; criminal justice advocacy; individual therapy; linkage to NYS Crime Victim Board Compensation and; community education and training. Advocate Program staff is located at the main agency in Buffalo, but also at the Buffalo Police Department’s Sex Offense Section co-located at the Family Justice Center, the Town of Tonawanda Police Department’s Family Offense Unit, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and the Buffalo City Court’s Domestic Violence Part. Staff will also soon be located at the new Sex Offense Court.
The Advocate Program oversees the SAFE (Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners) Program. The goal of this program is to provide training and assistance to local hospitals to assist them in establishing SAFE programs, providing a comprehensive response to victims of rape and sexual assault. This program also has a collaborative project with Kaleida Health, providing 24-hour on call SANE coverage at all Kaleida emergency rooms for rape victims. The Advocate Program also oversees the Rape Crisis Advisory Committee. This committee consists of the various community stakeholders whose mission is to develop a coordinated response to rape and sexual assault in Erie County. |