Domestic Violence Resources

Domestic and intimate partner violence is an issue that affects employees and students in our community.  Cornell University is committed to providing resources to employees who are victims of domestic violence.  Below is a description of the campus and local resources available to Cornell employees in need of assistance.

If you are a manager, please use Cornell's Guide to Domestic Violence at the Workplace (best viewed in Chrome/Firefox/Explorer) for assistance navigating workplace situations. 

 

What is domestic violence? 

The willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one person against another. It can include physical violence, sexual violence, threats, psychological violence, economic control, and verbal and emotional abuse. Domestic violence (DV) is prevalent and stigmas and misperceptions about it are pervasive in our society. 

 

Who is impacted by domestic violence?

It is estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience DV at some point in their lifetime. Studies about historically marginalized and/or underrepresented communities (such as transgender, individuals with disabilities, and people of color), commonly report even higher prevalence. 

DV can occur regardless of education level, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, religion, disability, or any other form of identity.

 

What resources do victims of domestic violence need?

Every situation is different.  An employee might need assistance with alternative housing, transportation, time off from work, medical care, and/or assistance with legal protections, such as an order of protection from the courts.  An Order of Protection is a court order that tells one person what they cannot do to another person, or what contact is allowed.

An employee might also need workplace accommodations if they fear their partner may try to contact them at work, such as:

• change of telephone number, netID, work or  home address, work schedule, work location, and/or parking location;
• transportation arrangements;
• time off or flexible scheduling for court appointments, care for themselves and/or members of their families;
• time off to settle in a new home or to make arrangements for a new home.

Employees are encouraged to consider contacting a confidential victim advocate who can help an individual decide what is needed both in the short term as well as in the future. Find more resources in the short video from Wellbeing@Work.

 

How do I help my colleague, friend, family member, etc. whom I know, or suspect, is experiencing domestic violence?

• If you are a manager, please review Cornell’s Guide to Domestic Violence at the Workplace  (best viewed in Chrome/Firefox/Explorer)
• If you are a colleague, speak to the individual about your concerns and offer to help them access resources. You may ask for guidance from your supervisor, local HR representative, the Cornell Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (607-255-2673), or other appropriate offices.
• If you are a friend/family member, speak to the individual about your concerns and offer to help them access resources. Concerned individuals may call the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County (607-277-5000) for guidance and other resources identified on this page may also be appropriate.

 

Cornell’s Victim Advocacy Program

• Phone: 607-255-1212
• E-mail: victimadvocate@cornell.edu
• Website: health.cornell.edu/services/victim-advocacy

This program offers confidential assistance to members of the campus community who have experienced harmful, threatening, or violent incidents including domestic violence.  A victim advocate can answer questions, provide support, discuss options, facilitate connections to services and assist with academic, work, or other accommodations.

Calls or email inquiries to the Victim Advocacy Program will be returned promptly during business hours (this is not a 24 hr. crisis service. Please note that to protect confidentiality and for safety reasons, when a victim advocate returns a call and there is no answer, if the voicemail ID is not identifiable as the original caller, a message may not be left).

 

Advocacy Center of Tompkins County  

• 24/7 Hotline: 607-277-5000
• Website:  actompkins.org/

The Advocacy Center offers free, confidential support & services for those impacted by domestic/dating violence, stalking, and/or sexual violence. All services are available to people of any age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, ability, or immigration status, and callers to the hotline can remain anonymous if they choose. 

Advocacy Center services include crisis intervention, emotional support, and safety planning; confidential shelter; support and/or accompaniment accessing services such as hospital, police, court proceedings, or social services; legal advocacy including help with orders of protection or emergency custody; individual or group support and empowerment classes; trauma therapy or referrals; and awareness, professional training, & prevention education programming.

 

Additional support resources for Cornell employees

Cornell Police

In an emergency, call 911; for advice and assistance, call 607-255-1111.   Also available is the RAVE Guardian app - this app, free to the campus community, can enhance the user’s personal safety both on and off-campus by turning any smartphone into a personal safety device.  

Faculty and Staff Assistance Program

fsap.cornell.edu/ ; Tel: 607-255-2673. FSAP's professional staff offers free and confidential guidance and support to address issues that may be affecting their personal lives and/or job satisfaction or performance. Services include: personal consultation and needs assessment; information about and referral to campus or community resources and services; short-term counseling; consultation with supervisors, managers, and others who are concerned about an employee or workplace situation; crisis response and community support.

Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX

titleix@cornell.edu ; Tel: 607-255-2242. The Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX can assist with the discussion of options, resources, and support for Cornell students, faculty, and staff. Learn more about their responsibilities in this video.

 

For medical concerns, contact your primary care provider or one of the following options

Please note that the Advocacy Center and other agencies that serve victims of sexual violence/assault usually offer hospital accompaniment and specialized medical services. 

Cayuga Medical Center (CMC) Hospital

Ithaca's acute-care facility for emergency, inpatient, and outpatient needs, 24 /7; 365 days a year. www.cayugamed.org; 607-274-4011 (Emergency Department: 607-274-4411); 101 Dates Drive (Route 96), on the West side of Cayuga Lake - about 15 minutes from Cornell

Urgent Care at Ithaca (formerly Convenient Care)

CMC's urgent care clinic; 607-274-4150; 10 Arrowwood Drive, near the crossroads of Route 13 and Warren Road - about 5 minutes from Cornell. 

Well Now Urgent Care 

Ithaca's independent non-emergency walk-in clinic offers medical care without an appointment. wellnow.com/locations/ithaca/; 607-319-4563; 740 South Meadow Street (Route 13), just south of Wegman's; Seven days a week 8 am to 8 pm

 

Domestic Violence 24/7 Hotlines: 

Advocacy Center of Tompkins County

24/7 Hotline: 607-277-5000;  actompkins.org/

New York State Domestic Violence Hotline

24/7 Hotline: 1-800-942-6906; TTY 711;  opdv.ny.gov/help/dvhotlines.html

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

24/7 Hotline: 1-800-799-7233; TTY 1-800-787-3224;  thehotline.org

 

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