Mission Statement:
The Crime Victims Center, Inc. dba Parents for Megan’s Law is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse and rape, the provision of comprehensive trauma informed support services to victims of violent crime, and elderly, minor, and disabled victims of all crime. Violence directed against victims is an abuse of power, often directed at our most vulnerable, and must be met with unwavering resolve to hold perpetrators accountable, and provide victims with the support and services they need.
The organization is a New York State Certified Rape Crisis Center and a Crime Victim Center. The Crime Victims Center is committed to informing victims of their rights, involving them in the decision making process, securing crime victim compensation to which they are entitled and treating every victim with respect and dignity. The organization provides victim services training to law enforcement and works collaboratively with them to ensure an accurate and up-to-date sex offender registry. The agency staffs the Local and National Megan’s Law Help lines.
Crime Prevention Approach
The agency takes a three pronged approach to crime prevention which includes the provision of trauma informed victim support services, prevention education, and Megan’s Law Community and Law Enforcement Support Services.
24 HOUR HOTLINE to support and assist victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes.
VICTIM ADVOCACY for victims of child sexual abuse and non-offending family members, adult victims of sexual assault, victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, stalking, assault, menacing, robbery, confrontational burglary, DWI, BWI, kidnapping, arson, financial crimes, terrorism and survivors of homicide.
The Crime Victim Center Support Services Program is a National Association of Counties Award Winning Program.
COUNSELING for child and adult victims of sexual assault and victims or surviving family members of other violent crimes. Short and long tern counseling with NYS Licensed Social Worker or Psychologist. English and Spanish.
MEGAN’S LAW HELPLINE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS to assist and provide advocacy to communities in accessing information about registered sex offenders, to assist in effectively and responsibly managing Megan’s Law notifications and to educate about sexual abuse prevention. Sex offender searchable registry, sex offender email alert program, and the Sex Offender Registration Tips (SORT) is a program available to community members who want to report possible sex offender registration violations.
NATIONAL MEGAN’S LAW SURVEYS Evaluating the registration and notification components of Megan’s Law in all 50 states. The agency conducted the first of many national surveys to evaluate the implementation of sex offender registration and notification laws in all 50 States, DC and the US Territories. Surveys revealed that where you lived, would determine how well you could protect yourself or your children from known convicted sex offenders. Early surveys indicated that all 50 states had enacted registration and notification laws but the laws completely lacked uniformity. An early registration survey found that nearly 25% of the nations’ registered sex offenders were not complying with state registration requirements. This meant, that over 100,000 sex offenders were “missing” from registries across the country.
PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT YOUR SITE OR ON ZOOM
Children and Teen Sexual Abuse and Rape Prevention – Trained and fingerprinted staff come to your school or organization to present the following child and teen programs.
Adult Sexual Abuse and Rape Prevention – Trained and fingerprinted staff come to your school or organization to present the following child and teen programs:
Hate Crime Prevention – Trained and fingerprinted staff come to your school, organization or business to present this program: Provides participants detailed information about what a hate crime is and what to do if you or someone you know may be a victim of a hate crime. Participants learn about prejudice, discrimination, stereotyping and the seriousness of hate crime and how it effects victims and communities. A detailed overview of the rights of crime victims and services they are entitled to under the law.
CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND CHILD SEX TOURISM REPORTING for the community to anonymously report child pornography which gets forwarded to local or federal law enforcement for investigation.
POLICY and LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT to close loopholes which make communities vulnerable to registered offenders and to
increase victim’s rights.
LITERATURE to educate children and adults regarding sexual abuse and rape prevention and to inform adults about sex offender registration and notification laws.