914-345-3113
sfavara@westcop.org
westcop.org/programs/vas/
Victims Assistance Services (VAS) provides free, comprehensive and compassionate services to crime victims and their families, friends and loved ones. VAS also works to end violence through community action, public policy and culture change, and through prevention education programs in schools and in other community venues.
Services include a 24-hour emergency hotline, crisis intervention, counseling and specialized trauma therapies, safety planning, support and therapy groups, accompaniment to hospital emergency rooms, SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) forensic exams, accompaniment and advocacy throughout the criminal justice process from initial police report until Victim Impact Statement and VINE registration (in the event of a successful prosecution), assistance obtaining protective orders and accessing shelter, home visits to vulnerable elders, and prevention education presentations.
All services are free and confidential. Close to half of the staff is Spanish speaking and culturally informed.