Direct services are available to victims of ALL crime, witnesses, and/or their families in Chautauqua County through the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Center free of charge. These services include, but are not limited to:
- Victim rights in New York State
- Information about the criminal justice system
- Safety plans
- Compensation
- Restitution
- Offender notifications
- Court assistance/accompaniment
- Personal support/encouragement
- Community resource or crisis service referrals
- Victim Impact Statements
- Preparation for trial
- Civil Attorney referrals
- Status updates regarding cases
- Requesting Criminal Orders of Protection
Reporting a Crime
If you believe you have been a victim of a crime, contact your local law enforcement agency immediately to report the circumstances. If they believe a criminal incident has taken place they will file charges. You as a victim now have the right to report to any law enforcement agency of your choice.
Education
Being involved in a crime as a victim can be traumatic as well as confusing. Education into the criminal justice system is one of the most important services offered to you as a victim of a crime. The Victim Assistance Center will help you understand each step of the process.
Bringing Action
The responsibility for bringing action involving crimes committed in Chautauqua County rests with the District Attorney (DA). District Attorney Jason Schmidt has twelve Assistant District Attorney’s (ADA) that serve the many jurisdictions, or courts, in Chautauqua County. Once a crime is reported and charges are filed against a person by the local law enforcement agency, the District Attorney’s Office representing the People of the State of New York begins proceedings against the defendant. You, as the individual victim of a crime become a witness for the people. During the course of the case, you may be subpoenaed to appear/testify in court. This is a court order for you to appear. At this time we as the victim service providers are able to gain your interests concerning the outcome of the crime and present it to the ADA who presents it to the court. Therefore, appearance at the time of a subpoena is required and necessary.
Needs Concerning the Outcome of the Case
As a victim of a crime, the ADA IS interested in what your needs are concerning the outcome of the case. A victim service provider is a liaison between the crime victim and the attorney prosecuting the case. The victim service provider will continue to inform you of the prosecution and what is expected of you throughout the completion of the criminal case.
Contact Your Victim Service Provider Today
Please contact the District Attorney’s Office for assistance if you are a victim of a crime in Chautauqua County. When leaving a message please include the Defendants name, the town or court hearing the case, the date of the incident, your name and your phone number. We look forward to helping you move from victim to survivor.
We are open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm
Crystal Duffy
Victim Service Provider
716-338-0084 (Primary)
716-753-4630 (Mayville Office)
Our Mission
The Chautauqua County Victim Service Center strives to incorporate the victim/witness’s voice throughout the prosecution of a case. Our goal is to provide direct service and referrals through the criminal justice process for ALL victims of crime in Chautauqua County. We hold the Victims safety, as the main priority in our office.
FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE WITH A CRIME OR IF YOU ARE IN IMMINENT DANGER: DIAL 911
Reference Numbers
Chautauqua County DV and Sexual Assault Hotline (The Salvation Army of Jamestown- Anew Center)
1-800-252-8748
716-661-3897
Textline: 844-997-2121
Domestic Violence 24 hr. Hotline
NYS: 1-800-942-6906 711 for Deaf or Hard of Hearing
National: 1-800-799-7234
National: 1-800-787-3224
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-422-4453
Substance Abuse + Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline
877-662-4357
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
1-800-656-4673
Hyperlinks
The National Helpline for Men who were Sexually Abused or Assaulted https://1in6.org/helpline
The National Sexual Assault Online Hotline https://hotline.rainn.org/online
Safe Online Helpline (Sexual Assault Support for the DoD Community) www.safehelpline.org
