Domestic Violence Victim Services
Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes provides assistance to victims of domestic violence and their children for residents of Ontario and Wayne County.
All Domestic Violence Services are Free of Charge
The Domestic Violence Victim Service’s goal is to interrupt the cycle of family violence by providing survivor centered and survivor driven services through a trauma-informed lens with the goal of improving the quality of life both in the home and the community. We offer confidential support and information about options, rights and resources to survivors and their children. Advocacy services strive to empower clients and their children by building skills for self-sufficiency and increasing self-worth.
The program is available to residents 24 hours a day
through our Hotline.
Crisis intervention
Needs assessment and evaluation of your situation
Personalized safety plan
Education, information and referrals
Access to safe shelter
Crisis, peer and DV educational counseling
Support group
Referral to therapeutic counseling
Assistance with Family Court Petitions, court accompaniments, criminal justice and legal advocacy
Advocacy for housing, social services, medical and other needed services
Transportation to essential services
Community education and outreach
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence doesn’t look the same in every relationship because every relationship is different. Domestic violence is a repetitive pattern of behaviors to maintain power and control over another person. Domestic violence can take many forms, including physical abuse, psychological, emotional, verbal and financial abuse, sexual violence and isolation.
In fact, many abusive partners may seem absolutely perfect in the early stages of a relationship. Possessive and controlling behaviors don’t always appear overnight, but rather emerge and intensify as the relationship grows.
Read about the types of abuse.
Very often, one or more violent incidents are accompanied by an array of these other types of abuse. They are less easily identified, yet firmly establish a pattern of intimidation and control in the relationship.
The Power & Control Diagram is a particularly helpful tool in understanding the overall pattern of abusive and violent behaviors, which are used by an abuser to establish and maintain control over his or her partner.
Does your partner:
Constantly criticize you and your abilities as a spouse or partner, parent or employee?
Behave in an over-protective manner or become extremely jealous?
Threaten to hurt you, your children, pets, family members, friends or themself?
Destroy personal property or throw things around?
Use intimidation or manipulation to control you or your children?
Hit, punch, slap, kick, shove, choke or bite you?
Prevent you from going where you want to, when you want to, and with whomever you want to?
Make you have sex when you don’t want to or do things sexually that you don’t want to do?
Make you feel as though everything is always your fault?
Use drugs and alcohol as an excuse for their behavior?
If you answer yes to some or all of these questions, we hope you will consider talking with one of our advocates to learn more about resources available to you.
Teen Dating Violence
Teen dating violence is a form of domestic violence that impacts all students, whether they are the victims, perpetrators, bystanders or friends. 1 in 5 students who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a boyfriend or girlfriend. Teen dating abuse is a serious public health problem.
The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline is a 24 hour hotline created specifically for teens and young adults. Call 1-866-331-9474, check out loveisrespect.org, or talk to a School Nurse or Guidance Counselor