Disclaimer
Last Updated: August 11, 2026
This Disclaimer applies to the website operated by Crime Victims Assistance Center, Inc. (“CVAC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), including all pages, content, resources, forms, downloads, links, and other materials made available through this website (the “Website”).
CVAC is a nonprofit organization providing services and support to individuals affected by crime, including crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, legal advocacy and services, case management, child advocacy, medical advocacy, and prevention education.
The information provided through this Website is intended to provide general information about CVAC, its programs and services, victim resources, education, and available forms of assistance. It is not intended to replace individualized professional assistance or emergency services.
This Disclaimer governs use of the Website and general Website information. It does not govern or modify the terms, confidentiality protections, informed consent requirements, professional standards, client rights, statutory privileges, or other obligations applicable to counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy, legal services, Child Advocacy Center services, or other services actually provided by CVAC.
1. Emergencies and Immediate Safety
This Website is not an emergency response service and should not be used to request emergency assistance.
If you or another person is in immediate danger, is experiencing a medical emergency, or requires immediate law enforcement assistance, call 911 or your appropriate local emergency service.
For immediate crisis support from CVAC, call CVAC’s 24/7 Crisis Line at (607) 722-4256.
CVAC also maintains a text line at (607) 725-8196. The text line is not intended for emergency communications or situations requiring an immediate response. Individuals requiring immediate support should call the 24/7 Crisis Line.
Website forms, general email addresses, social media accounts, and other electronic communications should not be used for emergencies, urgent safety concerns, or time-sensitive requests for assistance.
CVAC cannot guarantee that Website submissions, emails, text messages, social media communications, or other electronic communications will be reviewed or responded to within any particular period of time unless expressly stated otherwise.
2. Website Information Is General Information
Information available through this Website is provided for general informational, educational, prevention, awareness, and resource purposes.
Although CVAC makes reasonable efforts to provide useful and accurate information, circumstances involving crime, abuse, trauma, safety, mental health, medical care, victim rights, court proceedings, law enforcement, and legal matters are highly individualized.
Website information should not be interpreted as a determination, recommendation, diagnosis, legal conclusion, safety assessment, or professional judgment concerning what any particular individual should do in a specific situation.
Individuals seeking assistance concerning their personal circumstances should contact CVAC through the appropriate service channel or consult another appropriately qualified professional, service provider, governmental authority, or emergency service.
3. No Professional Relationship Created by Website Use
Merely accessing, browsing, or using this Website does not, by itself, establish a counselor-client, therapist-client, advocate-client, attorney-client, fiduciary, contractual, or other professional relationship between you and CVAC or any CVAC employee, counselor, advocate, attorney, contractor, volunteer, or representative.
Similarly, submitting a general contact form, sending an unsolicited email, interacting with CVAC through social media, or otherwise communicating through a general Website channel does not, by itself, establish such a relationship.
A professional or service relationship may arise only when CVAC formally accepts an individual for services or otherwise begins providing services in accordance with applicable CVAC procedures, professional requirements, program requirements, and applicable law.
Nothing in this Disclaimer alters, limits, defines, or expands any professional or service relationship that may separately arise through services actually provided by CVAC.
Nothing in this Disclaimer alters or limits any rights, protections, professional duties, confidentiality requirements, privileges, informed consent requirements, reporting obligations, or other obligations that apply once CVAC is actually providing services to an individual.
4. Counseling and Mental Health Information
CVAC provides trauma-informed counseling and supportive services. However, general information appearing on this Website is not individualized counseling, psychotherapy, psychological assessment, diagnosis, medical treatment, or mental health treatment.
Website content concerning trauma, abuse, coping, safety, healing, victimization, or mental health should not be used as a substitute for an individualized assessment or services from an appropriately qualified professional.
No particular counseling, therapeutic, emotional, medical, safety, legal, or personal outcome can be guaranteed.
The nature, scope, confidentiality, limitations, informed consent requirements, and conditions applicable to actual counseling and related services provided by CVAC are governed by applicable law, professional standards, CVAC policies and procedures, program requirements, and the circumstances under which services are provided.
Nothing on the Website should be interpreted as establishing the scope of care, treatment, counseling, or professional services that may be appropriate for any particular individual.
5. Legal Information and Legal Advocacy
CVAC provides legal advocacy and may provide, coordinate, facilitate, or refer individuals to legal services where appropriate and available.
CVAC advocates may assist victims in navigating legal and court-related systems, understanding available resources and processes, preparing or completing certain documents, accessing court-related services, accompanying individuals to proceedings, and advocating for victims’ rights and needs.
However, general legal information appearing on this Website is provided for informational purposes only and should not be treated as individualized legal advice.
Viewing legal information on this Website, contacting CVAC through a general Website channel, or receiving general information from CVAC does not, by itself, create an attorney-client relationship or establish legal representation.
Nothing in this Disclaimer is intended to define, alter, limit, or expand any professional relationship that may separately arise through services provided by a licensed attorney, if applicable.
Laws, court procedures, filing requirements, eligibility requirements, deadlines, rights, remedies, and individual circumstances may change or may differ depending on the facts of a particular matter.
Individuals should not delay seeking appropriate legal assistance, filing required documents, preserving evidence, responding to court papers, or taking action concerning any legal deadline because of information contained on this Website.
Where a licensed attorney formally undertakes representation or provides individualized legal services, if applicable, that relationship and the corresponding professional duties will be governed by the terms of the representation and applicable law.
6. Advocacy Is Not a Guarantee of Outcome
CVAC may assist individuals in interacting with courts, prosecutors, law enforcement, hospitals, healthcare providers, social service agencies, child protection agencies, government agencies, compensation programs, schools, housing providers, employers, service providers, and other organizations or individuals.
CVAC does not control the decisions, actions, policies, timelines, procedures, or outcomes of courts, judges, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, government agencies, healthcare providers, schools, employers, landlords, compensation programs, third-party service providers, or other independent persons or organizations.
Accordingly, CVAC cannot guarantee:
- That a criminal investigation or prosecution will occur;
- That charges will be filed or result in a particular disposition;
- That an arrest will occur;
- That an order of protection or other requested court order will be issued, continued, modified, or enforced;
- That any particular custody, support, family court, criminal court, housing, immigration, employment, or other legal outcome will occur;
- That an individual will qualify for compensation, reimbursement, benefits, housing, financial assistance, services, or other relief;
- That any governmental agency or third party will act within a particular time;
- That a third party will take or refrain from taking any particular action; or
- That advocacy, counseling, safety planning, legal assistance, crisis intervention, referrals, or other services will produce a particular result.
Every matter depends upon its individual circumstances and the decisions of the persons, agencies, courts, institutions, and other entities involved.
7. Confidentiality and Privileged Communications
CVAC recognizes the highly sensitive nature of information concerning crime victims, survivors of abuse and violence, children, families, counseling, medical care, legal matters, crisis intervention, safety planning, alleged offenders, and related circumstances.
Different confidentiality, privacy, and privilege protections may apply depending on the type of service being provided, the individual receiving the communication, the professional role of the person receiving the information, the circumstances of the communication, applicable program requirements, and applicable law.
Nothing in this Disclaimer is intended to waive, reduce, eliminate, or alter any confidentiality protection, evidentiary privilege, victim right, professional duty, statutory protection, or other legal protection that applies to communications made in connection with CVAC services.
However, users should not assume that information submitted through a general Website contact form, unsolicited email, social media message, or other general electronic communication automatically receives the same confidentiality or privilege protections that may apply to communications occurring within an established counseling, advocacy, legal, crisis intervention, or other professional service relationship.
For this reason, users are encouraged not to include unnecessary sensitive personal information in general Website communications.
Sensitive information may include, without limitation, information concerning victimization, children, medical or mental health conditions, alleged offenders, addresses or locations, safety plans, Social Security numbers, financial information, court matters, immigration matters, or other information that could create privacy or safety concerns if improperly accessed.
Where possible, individuals seeking confidential assistance should contact CVAC through the appropriate service channel.
8. Required or Authorized Disclosures
Confidentiality and privacy protections may be subject to exceptions or disclosure requirements under applicable law.
CVAC may disclose information when required by applicable law or where disclosure is otherwise expressly authorized in accordance with applicable law, valid authorization, professional requirements, court order, or applicable program or funding requirements.
CVAC personnel may also have legal or professional obligations to report, disclose, or take action regarding certain information or circumstances, including circumstances involving suspected child abuse or maltreatment or other situations in which reporting or disclosure is legally required.
The precise obligations, restrictions, privileges, exceptions, and authorization requirements applicable to a communication depend on the facts and circumstances, the nature of the services being provided, the professional role of the person receiving the information, applicable program requirements, and applicable law.
Nothing in this Disclaimer expands CVAC’s authority to disclose information, creates an independent basis for disclosure, or reduces any confidentiality, privilege, privacy, or other protection otherwise provided by law.
9. Children and Minors
CVAC provides services to children and families, including services through its Child Advocacy Center and counseling, advocacy, crisis, support, and prevention programs.
The rights of minors, parents, guardians, caregivers, and other legally authorized persons concerning consent, confidentiality, access to information, treatment, participation, records, reporting, and disclosure are governed by applicable law, professional requirements, program requirements, and the circumstances of the particular service.
Information on this Website should not be interpreted as individualized advice or a legal determination regarding:
- Whether a minor may consent to a particular service;
- Whether parental, guardian, or other authorization is required;
- Who is legally entitled to obtain information or records;
- Whether information concerning a minor will remain confidential;
- Whether information may or must be disclosed; or
- What services or interventions are appropriate for a particular child.
Individuals with questions concerning services for a child or minor should contact CVAC directly through the appropriate service channel.
10. Safety Planning and Victim Safety Information
CVAC may provide Website information concerning safety planning, domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, harassment, abuse, crime prevention, orders of protection, digital safety, and other safety-related matters.
Safety planning is highly individualized and may change as circumstances change.
No Website resource, checklist, recommendation, educational material, safety strategy, or other general information can anticipate every circumstance, eliminate all risk, guarantee personal safety, prevent further victimization, or substitute for individualized assistance.
Individuals should use their judgment regarding their immediate safety and seek individualized assistance when appropriate.
Persons who believe they are in immediate danger should call 911 or the appropriate local emergency service.
Individuals accessing CVAC’s Website from a device that may be monitored or accessed by another person should consider their digital safety, including browser history, search history, saved passwords, shared devices, cloud accounts, location sharing, email access, call records, text message records, and other electronic information.
CVAC cannot guarantee that accessing the Website will be undetectable to another person who has access to a user’s device, network, account, browser, or electronic records.
11. Sensitive and Potentially Distressing Content
Because CVAC’s mission concerns crime, victimization, abuse, trauma, domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, exploitation, stalking, homicide, crisis intervention, and related subjects, portions of this Website may contain information that some individuals find upsetting, distressing, triggering, or emotionally difficult.
Users should exercise discretion when accessing such material and seek appropriate support when needed.
CVAC cannot predict or guarantee how any particular individual may respond emotionally or psychologically to Website content.
12. Accuracy and Changes to Information
CVAC makes reasonable efforts to keep Website information accurate, useful, and current.
However, CVAC does not warrant or guarantee that all Website information will always be complete, current, error-free, applicable to every individual circumstance, or suitable for any particular purpose.
Laws, regulations, court procedures, victim service programs, compensation requirements, eligibility criteria, community resources, telephone numbers, locations, operating hours, funding, program availability, and third-party services may change without notice.
CVAC may update, modify, remove, suspend, replace, or correct Website content at any time without prior notice.
Users should independently confirm time-sensitive, safety-related, medically significant, legally significant, or otherwise important information with CVAC, the responsible government agency, court, healthcare provider, service provider, attorney, or other appropriate source before relying upon it.
13. Third-Party Websites and Resources
This Website may contain links or references to government agencies, courts, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, victim service providers, community organizations, educational resources, compensation programs, notification systems, healthcare organizations, service providers, and other third-party websites, materials, resources, or services.
These links and references are provided for convenience and informational purposes.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, CVAC does not own, operate, manage, supervise, or control third-party websites or services and does not guarantee their:
- Availability;
- Accuracy;
- Completeness;
- Security;
- Accessibility;
- Privacy practices;
- Confidentiality practices;
- Content;
- Eligibility requirements;
- Quality;
- Reliability; or
- Services.
The inclusion of a third-party link or resource does not necessarily constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, affiliation, recommendation, or approval of every statement, service, product, policy, practice, or activity of that third party.
Users access and use third-party websites and services subject to the terms, policies, practices, and procedures of those third parties.
CVAC is not responsible for changes made by third parties after a link or resource is added to the Website.
14. Electronic Communications and Website Security
CVAC recognizes the importance of safeguarding sensitive information and takes measures designed to protect information under its control consistent with applicable requirements.
Nevertheless, no website, email system, text message service, online form, electronic communication method, data transmission system, or internet-connected technology can be guaranteed to be completely secure or free from interception, unauthorized access, technical malfunction, or other risks.
Users should exercise caution when transmitting highly sensitive information electronically, particularly information concerning victimization, children, medical or mental health conditions, legal matters, locations, safety plans, alleged offenders, identifying information, financial information, or other information that could create a safety or privacy risk if accessed by an unauthorized person.
Nothing in this Disclaimer limits, modifies, or waives any data security, privacy, breach notification, confidentiality, records management, or information protection obligation imposed upon CVAC by applicable law or otherwise applicable to CVAC’s services.
The collection, use, disclosure, retention, and protection of personal information through this Website are further addressed in CVAC’s Privacy Policy & Notice.
15. Service Availability and Eligibility
Descriptions of CVAC programs or services on this Website do not guarantee that every service will be available to every individual, at every location, or at every time.
Services may be subject to:
- Eligibility criteria;
- Geographic limitations;
- Age or program requirements;
- Staffing and resource availability;
- Professional assessments;
- Conflicts of interest;
- Legal or ethical restrictions;
- Jurisdictional limitations;
- Funding requirements;
- Grant or program requirements;
- Safety considerations;
- Capacity limitations; or
- Other appropriate considerations.
CVAC may determine that a particular service is unavailable, inappropriate, outside the scope of a program, or better provided by another organization or professional.
CVAC may provide referrals to another provider, agency, attorney, organization, healthcare professional, governmental entity, or resource where appropriate.
Nothing on this Website guarantees admission, acceptance, continued participation, eligibility, representation, treatment, counseling, advocacy, funding, or assistance through any particular CVAC program or service.
16. No Warranty
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this Website and its general informational and educational content are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis.
CVAC does not make any representation or warranty that the Website will always be available, uninterrupted, timely, error-free, free from technological defects or harmful components, or suitable for any particular purpose.
CVAC does not warrant that information obtained through the Website will produce any particular legal, safety, medical, therapeutic, financial, personal, court, advocacy, or other outcome.
This provision applies to the Website and its general informational resources and is not intended to disclaim, reduce, alter, or waive professional, statutory, contractual, ethical, confidentiality, privacy, reporting, or other duties applicable to services that CVAC has formally undertaken to provide.
17. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, CVAC and its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, contractors, and representatives will not be liable for losses or damages arising solely from:
- Reliance upon general informational or educational content appearing on the Website;
- Temporary Website outages, errors, omissions, interruptions, technical problems, or unavailability;
- The actions, omissions, information, services, products, decisions, availability, or practices of independent third parties;
- Changes in laws, regulations, court procedures, governmental programs, third-party resources, or other information after Website content is published;
- A user’s failure to independently verify time-sensitive, legally significant, medically significant, or safety-related information; or
- A user’s decision not to obtain individualized professional, medical, legal, crisis, law-enforcement, emergency, or other appropriate assistance.
This limitation applies only to the extent liability may lawfully be limited.
Nothing in this Disclaimer is intended to exclude, waive, release, disclaim, or limit liability, responsibility, rights, remedies, duties, protections, or obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded, waived, released, disclaimed, or limited.
Nothing in this Disclaimer releases CVAC from professional, statutory, contractual, ethical, confidentiality, privacy, data security, reporting, informed consent, or other duties that apply to services CVAC has undertaken to provide.
18. No Waiver of Victim Rights or Legal Protections
Nothing in this Disclaimer is intended to waive, diminish, restrict, or interfere with any rights afforded to crime victims, survivors, children, clients, service recipients, parents, guardians, or other protected persons under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Nothing in this Disclaimer is intended to waive, modify, or diminish any applicable counselor, advocate, attorney, healthcare, evidentiary, confidentiality, privacy, statutory, or other legally recognized privilege, right, duty, or protection.
Nothing on this Website should be interpreted as requiring an individual to surrender a legal right or protection as a condition of accessing general Website information.
If any provision of this Disclaimer conflicts with a mandatory requirement of applicable law, applicable law will control to the extent of that conflict.
19. No Creation, Expansion, or Waiver of Legal Duties
Nothing contained in this Website or Disclaimer is intended to create, expand, reduce, modify, or waive any legal, statutory, professional, contractual, ethical, fiduciary, confidentiality, privacy, reporting, data security, informed consent, or other duty owed by CVAC except where such duty is independently established by applicable law, an applicable professional relationship, or a separate enforceable agreement.
Nothing in this Disclaimer creates or is intended to create any private right, guarantee, warranty, representation, contractual obligation, fiduciary relationship, professional relationship, standard of care, or cause of action that would not otherwise exist under applicable law.
No statement on this Website should be interpreted as voluntarily assuming a legal duty beyond any duty otherwise imposed upon CVAC by applicable law or by a professional or contractual relationship CVAC has separately undertaken.
Nothing in this provision limits any right, remedy, duty, or protection that cannot lawfully be limited.
20. Contacting CVAC
For general information regarding CVAC or its services:
Crime Victims Assistance Center, Inc.
71 Robinson St
Binghamton, New York 13901
United States
Email:
Main Office: (607) 723-3200
24/7 Crisis Line: (607) 722-4256
Text Line: (607) 725-8196
The text line is not intended for emergency or immediate-response communications.
If you are in immediate danger, are experiencing a medical emergency, or require emergency law enforcement assistance, call 911.
General Website contact forms, email, social media, and other non-crisis electronic communications should not be used for emergency assistance.
21. Changes to This Disclaimer
CVAC may revise this Disclaimer periodically to reflect changes in its Website, services, practices, programs, technologies, or applicable legal requirements.
Any revised Disclaimer will become effective when posted to the Website unless otherwise stated.
The “Last Updated” date at the top of this Disclaimer will identify the date of the most recent revision.
