About Us - Programs and Services
The Crime Victims Center, Inc. dba Parents for Megan’s Law is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse and rape, the provision of comprehensive trauma informed support services to victims of violent crime, and elderly, minor, and disabled victims of all crime. Violence directed against victims is an abuse of power, often directed at our most vulnerable, and must be met with unwavering resolve to hold perpetrators accountable, and provide victims with the support and services they need.
The organization is a New York State Certified Rape Crisis Center and a Crime Victim Center. The Crime Victims Center is committed to informing victims of their rights, involving them in the decision making process, securing crime victim compensation to which they are entitled and treating every victim with respect and dignity. The organization provides victim services training to law enforcement and works collaboratively with them to ensure an accurate and up-to-date sex offender registry. The agency staffs the Local and National Megan's Law Help lines.
Crime Prevention Approach
The agency takes a three pronged approach to crime prevention which includes the provision of trauma informed victim support services, prevention education, and Megan’s Law Community and Law Enforcement Support Services.
Local Programs and Services
24 HOUR HOTLINE to support and assist victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes.
24 Hour Rape Crisis Hotline (631)-332-9234
VICTIM ADVOCACY for victims of child sexual abuse and non-offending family members, adult victims of sexual assault, victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, stalking, assault, menacing, robbery, confrontational burglary, DWI, BWI, kidnapping, arson, financial crimes, terrorism and survivors of homicide.
24 Hour Rape Crisis Hotline (631)-332-9234
24 Hour Violent Crime and Hate Crime Hotline (631)-626-3156
The Crime Victim Center Support Services Program is a National Association of Counties Award Winning Program.
COUNSELING for child and adult victims of sexual assault and victims or surviving family members of other violent crimes. Short and long tern counseling with NYS Licensed Social Worker or Psychologist. English and Spanish.
MEGAN’S LAW HELPLINE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS to assist and provide advocacy to communities in accessing information about registered sex offenders, to assist in effectively and responsibly managing Megan's Law notifications and to educate about sexual abuse prevention. Sex offender searchable registry, sex offender email alert program, and the Sex Offender Registration Tips (SORT) is a program available to community members who want to report possible sex offender registration violations.
Megan’s Law TIPS: 1-888 PFML-TIP
Megan’s Law HELPLINE: 1-888 ASK-PFML
PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT YOUR SITE OR ON ZOOM:
Children and Teen Sexual Abuse and Rape Prevention - Trained and fingerprinted staff come to your school or organization to present the following child and teen programs:
| Children Pre K-3rd Grade: | You're In Charge – Sexual Abuse/Abduction Prevention |
| Children 4th – 7th Grade: | When Should You Tell – Sexual Abuse/Abduction Prevention |
| Tweens 7th - 9th Grade: | Katie’s Secret 1 – Sexual Abuse/Abduction Prevention |
| Teens 10th - 12th Grade: | Katie’s Secret 2 – Sexual Abuse/Abduction Prevention |
| Teens 7th - 12th Grade, College Students: | Safe Dates - Preventing Dating Abuse |
| Teens 9th – 12th Grade, Adults: | Staying Safe - Sexual Assault Prevention, Megan's Law |
| Teens 9th – 12th Grade, Parents: | Teen Sexting Prevention & Cyber Safety, Megan's Law |
Adult Sexual Abuse and Rape Prevention - Trained and fingerprinted staff come to your school or organization to present the following child and teen programs:
| UPDATED - Apple 1 – Megan’s Law and Sexual Abuse and Rape Prevention for parents and community members. Participants learn detailed strategies to keep children safe and how to identify inappropriate relationships and potential predators. This program was written by Laura A. Ahearn, Esq., LMSW |
| Apple 2 - Megan’s Law and Sexual Abuse and Rape Prevention for professionals working with children and teens. Participants also learn about mandated reporting and professional boundaries. This program was written by Laura A. Ahearn, Esq., LMSW |
| Staying Safe 2 - Megan’s Law and Sexual Abuse and Rape Prevention for Adults. |
| Teen Sexting Prevention - This workshop provides information about the laws pertaining to "sexting" and discusses the potentially devastating, long-term consequences. Parents will have a better understanding of the digital trail and will be educated on how to report any online incident. |
| Staying Safe: Enough is Enough - Sexual Assault Prevention, Risk Factor Mitigation, Student Bill of Rights as well as other important information related to NYS Law. |
| Staying Safe: Enough is Enough II - Sexual Assault Prevention, Risk Factor Mitigation, Student Bill of Rights as well as other important information related to NYS Law for College Staff and Faculty. |
| Bringing in the Bystander - Utilizing, a “community of responsibility” approach, the workshop uses real-life examples to teach bystanders how to safety intervene in instances where an incident may be occurring or where there may be risk. |
Hate Crime Prevention - Trained and fingerprinted staff come to your school, organization or business to present this program: Provides participants detailed information about what a hate crime is and what to do if you or someone you know may be a victim of a hate crime. Participants learn about prejudice, discrimination, stereotyping and the seriousness of hate crime and how it effects victims and communities. A detailed overview of the rights of crime victims and services they are entitled to under the law.
POLICY and LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT to close loopholes which make communities vulnerable to registered offenders and to
increase victim’s rights.
LITERATURE to educate children and adults regarding sexual abuse and rape prevention and to inform adults about sex offender registration and notification laws.
National Programs and Services
NATIONAL MEGAN’S LAW HELPLINE to assist and provide information and support to communities on issues related to Megan’s Law, sex offender registration and notification, responsible use of information, and sexual abuse prevention. Referrals for crime victims support services and law enforcement referrals.
SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION TIPS Sex Offender Registration Tips (SORT) is a program available to community members who want to report potential sex offender registration violations. Call the Helpline toll free 1 (888) ASK-PFML.
NATIONAL MEGAN’S LAW SURVEYS Evaluating the registration and notification components of Megan's Law in all 50 states. The agency conducted the first of many national surveys to evaluate the implementation of sex offender registration and notification laws in all 50 States, DC and the US Territories. Surveys revealed that where you lived, would determine how well you could protect yourself or your children from known convicted sex offenders. Early surveys indicated that all 50 states had enacted registration and notification laws but the laws completely lacked uniformity. An early registration survey found that nearly 25% of the nations’ registered sex offenders were not complying with state registration requirements. This meant, that over 100,000 sex offenders were “missing” from registries across the country.
SEX OFFENDER EMAIL ALERTS AND LINKS TO ALL US REGISTRIES Click here to select your state registry or to link to a sex offender email alert program
CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND CHILD SEX TOURISM REPORTING for the community to anonymously report child pornography which gets forwarded to local or federal law enforcement for investigation.
LITERATURE to educate the children and adults regarding prevention and to inform adults about sexoffender registration and notification laws.
POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES to close loopholes which make communities vulnerable to registered offenders and to increase victim’s rights. Laura Ahearn, Executive Director of Parents for Megan’s Law, presented PFML national survey results and community level implementation loopholes to the United States Justice Department which were used to help craft the newest registration and notification amendments to Megan’s Law, more commonly known as the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. For her national registration and notification implementation surveys, community level support contributions and lobbying efforts, Ms. Ahearn was invited to the White House on July27, 2006 when the Child Protection Act was signed into law by President Bush.