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Opportunities for Otsego Receives Additional Victim Assistance Funds 

08.05.2022 - Oneonta, New York

Opportunities for Otsego’s Violence Intervention Program will expand services to victims of interpersonal violence through funds awarded by the New York State Office of Victim Services.

The annual $540,956 grant continues to fund core victim services, including the 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, and personal and legal advocacy and accompaniment. Funding will also establish a 24-hour accessible Victim Advocacy Center in the City of Oneonta to address increasing incidents of interpersonal violence within the jurisdiction.  This center will provide a comfortable, emotionally safe space for Violence Intervention Program advocates and law enforcement to meet with, interview and support adult victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. 

Will Rivera, Crisis Intervention Services Director on receiving the award, “We are extremely thankful to the Office of Victim Services for this funding as it is critical to furthering the efforts our dedicated team in supporting all victims of crime, their families, and loved ones. The addition of a soft interview room builds upon our trauma-informed care practices, and will prove invaluable to the investigative process and offender accountability.”

Dan Maskin, Chief Executive Officer, “Increased funding in this grant enhances community partnerships which is a key component to the prevention of domestic violence in Otsego County. We are grateful to the State of New York for its foresight on these important issues.”

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If you or someone you love has been impacted by interpersonal violence help is available by calling the Violence Intervention Program 24- hour hotline at 607.432.4855.