What we do
The Office of Violence Prevention & Education is a grant program funded by the Department of Justice. The Campus Program was created to assist colleges and universities in building effective, comprehensive responses to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking (DVDVSAS) for students, staff, and faculty.
Our Mission Statement
Guided by our Vincentian values, the Office of Violence Prevention & Education (OVPE) serves to increase dialogue and engage all individuals in prevention, education, and intervention efforts surrounding domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (DVDVSAS). These actions are effective pathways to elicit a positive impact and reduce incidents of violence and victimization. The Office of Violence Prevention & Education mission is to:
- Educate the campus community about DVDVSAS victimization.
- Make resources available to victims and those that serve them.
- Promote a trauma-informed response to reported incidents of sexual violence.
- Engage all members of the community in prevention, education, and intervention efforts.
Location
Lower Level Gallagher Center, Room 114C
Hours
ACADEMIC YEAR
Mon. – Fri. | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
SUMMER
Mon. – Thu. | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fri. | 8:30 a.m. – noon
Resources
There are two kinds of resources:
- Confidential Resource: refers to the ability of identified confidential resources to not report crimes and/or violations to law enforcement or college officials without permission, except for extreme circumstances, such as a health and/or safety emergency.
- Private Resource: refers to Niagara University offices and employees who cannot guarantee confidentiality but will maintain privacy to the greatest extent possible, and information disclosed will be related only as necessary to investigate and/or seek resolution and to notify the Title IX Coordinator or designee, who is responsible for tracking patterns, spotting systematic issues, and providing resources/options.
24/7 Confidential Victim Services
Our campus has a variety of both confidential and private resources that are available to the entire campus community. We have a partnership with the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier who provides our campus with 24 hour, 7 days a week, confidential victim services. They have a 24 hour hotline (call or text) that can be utilized at any time.
Looking to Make a Report?
If you are looking to make a report, please check out our Office for Equity & Inclusion (OEI) for reporting options, complaint forms, policies, and contact information.
Dial 911 if immediate help is needed.
- New York State Police Campus Sexual Assault Victims Unit: Campus Hotline (844) 845-7269
- Niagara County Sheriff’s Office – Victim Assistance Unit & Domestic Violence Intervention Program: (716) 438-3393
These resources consist of hospitals and community agencies who have the ability to not report crimes and/or violations to law enforcement or college officials without permission, except for extreme circumstances, such as a health and/or safety emergency.
- YWCA of the Niagara Frontier
24 Hour Hotline
Call or Text (716) 433-6716 - Pinnacle Community Services
Domestic Violence Resources
24/7 Confidential DV Hotline
(716) 299-0909 - Eastern Niagara Hospital
521 East Avenue
Lockport, NY 14094
*Ask for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE Nurse) - Mount St. Mary’s Hospital
5300 Military Road
Lewiston, NY 14092
These resources consist of offices and employees who have the ability to not report crimes and/or violations to law enforcement or college officials without permission, except for extreme circumstances, such as a health and/or safety emergency.
- Counseling Services
Seton Hall, Lower Level
(716) 286-8536 - Medical Professionals in Health Services
Butler Building
(716) 286-8390
These resources consist of offices and employees who cannot guarantee confidentiality but will maintain privacy to the greatest extent possible, and information disclosed will be reported only as necessary to notify the Title IX Coordinator or designee, who is responsible for tracking patterns, spotting systematic issues, and providing resources.
Get Involved
Looking to get involved in violence prevention work? Here are some ideas to get you started!
Donate items to the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier’s Carolyn’s House (shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their children).
- Contact the YWCA at 716.433.6714 for items needed.
Support and attend events hosted by the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier.
Volunteer and serve as a Certified Rape Crisis Advocate through the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. No prior training or experience is required.
- Rape Crisis Advocate Application
Donate items to Pinnacle Community Services’ Passage House (shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their children) and Casey House (the only emergency shelter in the county for runaway and homeless youth).
Support and attend events hosted by Pinnacle Community Services.
- Stop by the Violence Prevention & Education Office and ask about our current efforts.
- Attend events such as Take Back The Night and Surviving…Thriving: A Journey of Healing Through Art.
- Sign up for our Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training.
- Hold a fundraiser for our Community Providers or a National Violence Prevention Organization (e.g., RAINN, Futures Without Violence, One Love, Pinnacle Community Services, YWCA of the Niagara Frontier, Niagara County Sheriffs Victim Assistance Unit).
- Spread the word on social media by providing resources, tools, and information on violence prevention and healthy relationships.
- Engage in proactive behaviors that contribute to a violence-free community and uplift others
