You are not alone and this is not your fault. We are here to help you.

Parents

If your child has experienced domestic or sexual violence, you may have many concerns including how to talk to your child, how to keep your child safe, how to care for yourself, and what to do next. It can be a confusing time.   Reaching out for help can be a first step towards answers and healing. We are here to help you.  You can call our 24 hour Hotline (607-277-5000) and speak to someone right now.

If your child has recently experienced any form of sexual abuse, ranging from non-touching behaviors to sexual assault please take the following steps:

• If you or your child is in immediate danger, get to a safe place and call 911.
• Regardless of when the abuse happened, if you are not sure what to do, you can call our 24 hour Hotline (607-277-5000) to discuss next steps, which could include medical care, calling law enforcement for help, finding therapy for your child, or just getting questions answered.                An advocate can talk through your specific situation to discuss options and make the best plan for your child and your family.
• If the assault just happened, the victim should avoid showering/bathing, changing clothes, brushing teeth, eating, drinking, or urinating until speaking with an advocate or the police about the option of a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE).
• Anyone can report the abuse of a child to the NYS Registry for Abuse & Maltreatment at 1-800-342-3720

You can also learn more about resources here and our services here.