Local Agencies
The following are resources located in the Rochester, NY area:
Aegis Institute, Inc
(585.234.8688)
Women's Self-Defense Courses and Personal Safety Workshops. The self-defense course will teach women how to reduce crime risks, recognize and avert potentially dangerous situations, and avoid physical confrontations whenever possible. If a confrontation is unavoidable, it also teaches women how to defend themselves. Certified instructions teach practical, tested skills that any woman can learn. The course is designed for women of any age, size, shape or physical condition. WAVE scholarships when available.
Alternatives for Battered Women
(585.232.7353)
24-hour hot line counseling, referral, advocacy. Shelter for battered women and children. Counseling, support groups, legal handbook. Community education about domestic violence, dating violence prevention, Family Court Advocacy Program.
Bethany House
(585.454.4197)
Shelter for women or women with children, advocacy, transportation, alcohol/drug counseling, and housing referrals.
CFC Women's Place
(585.436.5452)
A program of Catholic Family Center, provides emergency shelter 24 hours a day to homeless women and their children (10 years and younger), referrals.
Genesee Hospital Men's Program
(585.263.5353)
Men's Education for Non-Violence is an educational group counseling program for men who have been abusive to the women they are/were partnered with.
Legal Aid Society of Rochester
(585.232.4090)
Its Domestic Violence Program offers legal services and counseling.
Life Line
(585.275.5151 / TDD 585.275.2700)
24-hour multiple telephone counseling service: mental-health crisis intervention and short term counseling, medical information and assistance, human services information and referrals, and connection to poison control assistance.
Rape Crisis Services of Planned Parenthood
(585.546.2777)
24-hour crisis intervention, short term counseling, referrals, medical and legal advocacy and court accompaniment. Support groups and community and professional education programs.
Rochester NOW
(585.461.1310)
Working for political change, the National Organization of Women challenges and acts to change the image of women as victims which leaves them vulnerable to sexual assault and spouse abuse. NOW has pioneered model rape and spouse assault legislation as well as support programs for rape survivors and battered women.
Rochester Police Department Victim Assistance Unit
(585.428.6630)
Provides individual counseling, assistance in filing for CVB compensation, transportation to court, accompaniment to court, property release, restitution assistance, referral, public awareness, explanation of criminal justice system.
Sojourner House
(585.436.7100)
Shelter for women and children with services directed toward reaching independence both economically and emotionally. Provide cash assistance information, advocacy, transportation, translation, alcohol/drug counseling, personal/family counseling, and housing referrals.
YWCA
(585.546.5820)
Its Women's Resource Center provides information and referral, educational programs, support groups and Working Wardrobe. The YWCA also provides emergency and affordable housing, child care, drug and alcohol treatment, and teen parent counseling.