Senator Webb Delivers $120,000 in State Funding to Local Organizations Serving Survivors of Domestic Violence

(BINGHAMTON, NY) Today, Senator Webb held a press conference to announce that she has secured $120,000 in state funds to support the work of local organizations serving survivors of domestic violence. 

• $50,000 to Rise-NY to support the work of advocates assisting survivors of domestic violence and their families as they navigate the Family Court system in the Greater Binghamton area.
• $20,000 to the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County to support their work to provide supportive services for domestic violence, sexual assault and other crime victims in Tompkins County.
• $50,000 to Crime Victims Assistance Center, Inc. in support of their mission to provide free, trauma-informed supportive services to survivors and their families in the Greater Binghamton area, including legal services for crime victims and survivors of domestic violence.  

Said Senator Lea Webb, “October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, when we reaffirm our commitment to making sure that survivors and their families have access to the resources they need to heal. I am proud to have secured this investment in the compassionate, trauma-informed, survivor-focused services provided by Rise-NY, the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County, and Crime Victims Assistance Center. Here in New York, we have some of the greatest demand for domestic violence support services in the country. We must continue to work to increase support for survivors and domestic violence support services to ensure that survivors have both safety and the ability to heal.”

Said Nicole Barren, Executive Director of Rise-NY: “Rise-NY provides comprehensive, licensed domestic violence services in Broome County including: shelter, hotline, advocacy, counseling and community education.  Rise is very grateful to be receiving these funds procured by Senator Webb, which will support the important work of advocates stationed at Family Court and two local police departments.  These advocates assist survivors with crucial services like petitions for protective orders, family and criminal court accompaniment, safety planning, and referrals to other supportive services.  Rise thanks Senator Webb for her continued commitment to the safety of domestic violence survivors and our community!”

Said Jennifer Brownell, Executive Director of The Advocacy Center of Tompkins County: The Advocacy Center of Tompkins County is grateful for the support that Senator Webb has shown throughout our State particularly to survivors of abuse.  Our agency provides support to those who have been victimized by domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse, through compassionate, trauma-informed, survivor-focused services and education.  This support from Senator Webb allows us to continue to work towards a community where all are free from violence in their homes, relationships and life.

Said Christine Battisti, Executive Director of Crime Victim Assistance Center: “The Crime Victim's Assistance Center (CVAC) is a comprehensive victim service provider located in Broome County  that provides free services to innocent victims of a crime and their families.  This primarily includes victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual assault and Child abuse. With continued funding cuts from the federal government this money will help sustain some of our current programming, specifically our legal advocates. Our legal advocates are housed in the district attorney's office and help victims navigate both criminal and family court systems.” 

Background: 

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month raising public awareness of this pervasive issue. Domestic violence impacts people from all social groups, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or age. 

In addition to delivering funding to local organizations serving Domestic Violence survivors, Senator Webb has been working with her state partners and providers. On October 3, 2023, she hosted a public hearing in Albany to examine whether the current continuum of care is meeting the needs of survivors of gender-based and domestic violence, with pertinent human services agencies, advocates, and service providers. This was a joint hearing hosted by the Senate’s Standing Committee on Women’s Issues, chaired by Senator Webb, and the Senate’s Standing Committee on Social Services, chaired by Senator Persaud (Video of the Hearing here).  

New York State's Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline provides free, confidential support 24/7 and is available in most languages: 800-942-6906 (call), 844-997-2121 (text) or @opdv.ny.gov (chat). Individuals also can visit www.ovs.ny.gov/connect to find a victim assistance program in their community. The Office of Victim Services also funds and supports 239 victim assistance programs across the state that provide essential services, such as crisis counseling, support groups, case management, emergency shelter, civil legal help, and relocation assistance, among other assistance, to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes, and their families.

Serving the Greater Binghamton area, Rise-NY’s mission is to assist families who experience, or are threatened with domestic violence and to increase the community’s awareness of this pervasive problem. Rise-NY is committed to the achievement of racial, ethnic and cultural diversity within its workplace, which will in turn provide the delivery of culturally competent care to the clients we serve. The organization strives to create an environment of acceptance of individual differences as we understand that diversity among our workforce contributes to a unified and interdependent team that is aware and sensitive to the diverse values and needs of one another as well as our clientele. This understanding and acceptance allows the empowerment of individuals to develop in order that each of us and each of the clients we serve can develop to their fullest potential.

The Advocacy Center provides Domestic and Sexual Violence services to Tompkins County. While the agency has grown, expanded services and adapted to the ever changing needs of survivors and our community over the years, we remain committed to the core philosophy of providing compassionate, trauma informed, survivor focused services and education with roots in feminism and the grassroots battered women’s movement of the 1970’s. Today our agency has expanded to provide not only domestic violence services but also services to youth and adult survivors of child sexual abuse, adult sexual assault and rape. This is a long and proud history and we owe so much to the dedication of our volunteers, staff, and local community and also to the inspiration provided by the survivors who honored us with their stories and strength. The Advocacy Center will continue to work towards a community where all are free from violence in their homes, relationships and life.

Serving the Greater Binghamton area, Crime Victims Assistance Center, Inc. is a safe, welcoming environment for people who have been a victim of, or affected by, a crime. We provide free counseling to survivors as well as a 24 hour crisis line and advocacy program. We educate our community and provide care with compassion. Our Mission: To provide compassionate support and education, enhancing the community's ability to prevent and respond to victims of crime. CVAC provides 24 hour support through our crisis hotline and advocacy to all four local hospitals, and local police agencies.

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