Cookie Policy

Last Updated: August 13, 2026

This Cookie Policy explains how Crime Victims Assistance Center, Inc. (“CVAC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies in connection with its website, https://cvac.us, including its pages, forms, resources, and other online features (the “Website”).

CVAC is a nonprofit organization providing services and support to individuals affected by crime, including crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, legal advocacy and support, case management, child advocacy, medical advocacy, and prevention education.

Because individuals may visit the Website while seeking information or assistance concerning crime, abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, trauma, legal matters, safety planning, crisis intervention, or other highly sensitive circumstances, CVAC is committed to limiting the use of cookies and similar technologies in a manner consistent with the privacy, confidentiality, security, and safety needs of the individuals and communities we serve.

This Cookie Policy should be read together with CVAC’s Privacy Policy & Notice.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small data files that a website may place or store on a computer, mobile device, tablet, or other internet-connected device when a person visits a website.

Cookies and similar technologies may allow a website to recognize a browser or device, remember preferences, maintain website functionality, protect security, understand how visitors interact with a website, measure website performance, or enable certain third-party features.

Similar technologies may include:

  • Pixels;
  • Tags;
  • Scripts;
  • Local storage;
  • Session storage;
  • Software development tools;
  • Embedded content technologies;
  • Device or browser identifiers; and
  • Other technologies that store or access information on a device or collect information about interactions with a Website.

For purposes of this Cookie Policy, references to “cookies” generally include these similar technologies where appropriate.

2. Scope of This Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy applies to cookies and similar technologies used in connection with the Website.

It does not govern information collected or maintained as part of CVAC’s actual counseling, advocacy, legal advocacy, Child Advocacy Center, crisis intervention, medical advocacy, case management, or other client or victim services.

Information provided in connection with CVAC services may be subject to additional confidentiality requirements, statutory privileges, professional obligations, informed consent requirements, client rights, victim rights, program requirements, funding requirements, and other legal protections.

Nothing in this Cookie Policy is intended to reduce, alter, waive, replace, or supersede any confidentiality, privilege, privacy, professional, statutory, contractual, ethical, funding-related, or other protection applicable to individuals receiving CVAC services.

3. Our Approach to Sensitive Website Activity

CVAC recognizes that Website activity may itself be sensitive.

For example, visiting a Website page concerning:

  • Counseling;
  • Sexual violence;
  • Domestic violence;
  • Child abuse or maltreatment;
  • Human trafficking or exploitation;
  • Stalking or harassment;
  • Safety planning;
  • Orders of protection;
  • Legal advocacy;
  • Victim compensation;
  • Crisis services;
  • Medical advocacy;
  • Trauma;
  • Mental health support; or
  • Other victim resources

may reveal or permit inferences about matters that an individual reasonably expects to remain private.

Accordingly, CVAC seeks to minimize unnecessary online tracking and collection associated with visitors seeking information about victim services.

CVAC does not authorize Website cookies or similar technologies to be used for the purpose of targeting advertising to an individual based upon an actual or inferred status as:

  • A crime victim or survivor;
  • A victim of domestic violence or sexual violence;
  • A victim of child abuse or exploitation;
  • A person seeking counseling or mental health support;
  • A person seeking crisis intervention;
  • A person seeking legal advocacy or an order of protection;
  • A child receiving or seeking victim services; or
  • A person otherwise seeking victim support services.

CVAC does not intend for information regarding an individual’s use of victim service pages to be used to create commercial advertising profiles concerning that individual’s victimization, trauma, health, legal circumstances, counseling needs, safety circumstances, or service needs.

4. Categories of Cookies We May Use

Depending on the Website’s configuration and the features a visitor uses, the Website may use the following categories of cookies and similar technologies.

A. Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly necessary cookies support basic Website operation, security, accessibility, navigation, form functionality, privacy preferences, and other essential functions.

These technologies may be used to:

  • Deliver Website pages;
  • Maintain Website security;
  • Detect or prevent malicious, fraudulent, or illegal activity;
  • Protect forms from abuse or spam;
  • Remember privacy or cookie preferences;
  • Enable accessibility functionality;
  • Identify or repair technical errors;
  • Maintain basic Website sessions; or
  • Provide functionality specifically requested by a user.

Because these technologies may be necessary for the Website to function properly or securely, they may not always be subject to an opt-out where applicable law permits their use without consent.

CVAC seeks to limit strictly necessary cookies to information reasonably necessary for the relevant function.

B. Functional and Preference Cookies

Functional cookies may allow the Website to remember choices made by a visitor or provide enhanced functionality.

These cookies may be used to remember:

  • Website preferences;
  • Accessibility selections;
  • Language or display preferences;
  • Privacy selections; or
  • Other user-requested functionality.

Where applicable law requires consent for non-essential functional cookies, CVAC will seek the required consent before activating those technologies.

C. Analytics and Performance Cookies

The Website may use analytics or performance technologies to understand general Website usage, identify technical problems, and improve Website functionality.

Depending on their configuration, these technologies may collect information such as:

  • Pages viewed;
  • Approximate date and time of a visit;
  • Referring webpage;
  • Browser type;
  • Device type;
  • Operating system;
  • General interaction information;
  • Website performance information;
  • Error or diagnostic information;
  • IP address or truncated IP address; and
  • Approximate or generalized location information derived from an internet connection.

Where reasonably practicable, CVAC seeks to use analytics information in an aggregated, minimized, pseudonymized, de-identified, truncated, or otherwise privacy-protective manner.

CVAC does not intend analytics information to be used to identify an individual as a crime victim, counseling client, crisis service recipient, legal advocacy client, Child Advocacy Center client, or other CVAC service recipient.

Where applicable law requires consent before analytics or performance technologies are activated, CVAC will seek the required consent before activating those technologies.

D. Embedded Content and Third-Party Functionality

Certain Website pages may contain content or functionality provided by third parties, such as:

  • Embedded videos;
  • Donation platforms;
  • Maps;
  • Accessibility services;
  • Security services;
  • Forms;
  • Content delivery services; or
  • Other external resources.

When a visitor interacts with third-party content, the third party may receive technical information or use cookies or similar technologies depending upon the provider, the Website’s configuration, the visitor’s choices, and applicable law.

Where reasonably practicable and appropriate, CVAC seeks to limit unnecessary third-party tracking associated with embedded content.

Visitors who follow a link from the Website to an independent third-party website will be subject to that third party’s privacy and cookie practices.

E. Advertising and Targeting Technologies

CVAC does not use or authorize advertising or targeting technologies for the purpose of targeting individuals based upon their actual or inferred status as crime victims, survivors, counseling clients, children receiving victim services, or persons seeking crisis, legal, medical, counseling, or advocacy assistance.

CVAC does not knowingly authorize behavioral advertising or retargeting based upon a visitor’s interaction with pages concerning victimization, abuse, counseling, crisis services, legal advocacy, safety planning, child services, or similarly sensitive circumstances.

If CVAC uses any advertising, fundraising, outreach, or campaign-related technology that constitutes targeted advertising, cross-context behavioral advertising, a sale, sharing, or similar regulated processing under applicable law, such technology will be subject to applicable legal requirements and CVAC’s stated privacy commitments.

Where applicable law requires consent before such technology is activated, CVAC will seek the required consent.

5. Google Tag Manager

The Website may use Google Tag Manager or similar tag management technology to manage certain Website scripts, tags, or technologies.

A tag management system can control or deploy other technologies. The information collected through such technologies therefore depends upon the specific tags and services configured through the tag management system.

CVAC seeks to configure tag management technology in a manner consistent with this Cookie Policy, its Privacy Policy & Notice, applicable legal requirements, and CVAC’s commitment to protecting sensitive Website activity.

Where a technology deployed through a tag management system requires consent under applicable law, CVAC will seek to prevent that technology from operating until the legally required consent has been obtained.

CVAC will not knowingly configure Google Tag Manager or another tag management platform to circumvent, override, disregard, or defeat a visitor’s applicable consent selection, withdrawal of consent, legally recognized privacy preference, age-related protection, or legally recognized browser or device signal.

6. Embedded Videos and Other Media

The Website may contain embedded video or media content provided through third-party platforms, including Vimeo or similar services.

Third-party media providers may receive technical information when media content is loaded or played, depending upon the provider, the Website’s configuration, the visitor’s browser or device settings, and applicable privacy preferences.

Where reasonably practicable, CVAC seeks to configure embedded content using privacy-protective options and to avoid unnecessary tracking.

Where applicable law requires consent before non-essential third-party media technologies are activated, CVAC will seek the required consent.

Visitors may choose not to interact with embedded media where they do not wish to interact with the applicable third-party service.

7. Donations and External Websites

The Website may provide links to external donation platforms or other third-party services.

When a visitor follows an external link, including a link to make a donation, the visitor may leave CVAC’s Website and become subject to the cookies, privacy policies, terms, security practices, and technologies of the third-party provider.

CVAC’s Cookie Policy does not control cookies placed solely by an independent third-party website after a visitor leaves CVAC’s Website.

Visitors should review the applicable third party’s privacy and cookie information before providing personal, financial, or other sensitive information.

8. Website Forms

CVAC’s Website may provide forms through which individuals can voluntarily submit information.

Information intentionally entered into a Website form, such as a name, email address, or message, is not treated merely as cookie information and is governed principally by CVAC’s Privacy Policy & Notice and any notice presented with the applicable form.

CVAC’s general Website contact form is intended for general inquiries and should not be used to request emergency assistance or to submit unnecessary sensitive information.

Cookies or similar technologies associated with a form may be used for purposes such as:

  • Security;
  • Fraud or abuse prevention;
  • Spam prevention;
  • Form functionality;
  • Session management; or
  • Remembering privacy preferences.

Use of a general Website form does not, by itself, establish a counseling, advocacy, attorney-client, crisis service, contractual, or other professional relationship with CVAC.

9. Children and Minors

CVAC serves children and families and recognizes that children and minors may be entitled to heightened privacy protections.

CVAC seeks to process personal information relating to known minors in accordance with applicable federal and state law, including, where applicable, the New York Child Data Protection Act, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) and its implementing regulations, and other applicable privacy requirements.

A. New York Minors

To the extent the New York Child Data Protection Act applies, a covered user generally includes a user in New York who is actually known by the operator to be under eighteen years of age or who uses a Website, service, or portion thereof that is primarily directed to minors.

For covered users subject to that law, CVAC will process personal data only as permitted by applicable law.

Where a covered user is thirteen years of age or older, and processing is not strictly necessary for a legally permissible purpose, CVAC will seek informed consent where required by applicable law.

Where such informed consent is legally required, CVAC will seek to ensure that the consent request:

  • Is presented separately from other transactions where required;
  • Does not use a mechanism designed or having the substantial effect of obscuring, subverting, or impairing the user’s decision;
  • Clearly indicates that the requested processing is not strictly necessary;
  • Clearly indicates that refusal will not prevent continued Website use except where processing is necessary to provide the particular product, service, or feature;
  • Presents the option to refuse consent as the most prominent option where required;
  • Permits consent to be revoked as easily as it was provided; and
  • Otherwise complies with applicable legal requirements concerning renewed consent requests and privacy signals.

Except where processing is strictly necessary to provide a particular product, service, or feature, CVAC will not knowingly withhold, degrade, lower the quality of, or charge more for Website information or functionality because a covered minor declines consent where such conduct is prohibited by applicable law.

CVAC will not knowingly purchase or sell personal data relating to covered minors where prohibited by applicable law.

B. Children Under 13 and COPPA

Where COPPA applies to CVAC’s Website or a particular online feature, CVAC will seek to comply with applicable requirements relating to children under thirteen, including requirements concerning notice, collection, use, disclosure, parental consent, security, data minimization, retention, and deletion.

Where verifiable parental consent is required before personal information is collected, used, or disclosed from a child under thirteen, CVAC will seek such consent before engaging in the covered processing unless an applicable legal exception permits otherwise.

Persistent identifiers and similar online technologies may constitute personal information under COPPA in circumstances covered by the law.

C. No Advertising Profiles of Children

CVAC does not intend to use cookies or similar technologies to create behavioral advertising profiles of children or minors based upon their use of the Website or their actual or inferred need for:

  • Counseling;
  • Victim advocacy;
  • Crisis intervention;
  • Child advocacy services;
  • Legal assistance;
  • Medical advocacy;
  • Trauma support; or
  • Other victim services.

CVAC does not knowingly sell personal information concerning children collected through the Website in violation of applicable law.

Nothing in this section limits any greater confidentiality, privacy, privilege, or other protection applicable to information concerning children who receive CVAC services.

10. Cookie Consent and Your Choices

Where required by applicable law, CVAC provides or will seek to provide visitors with appropriate choices concerning non-essential cookies and similar technologies.

CVAC seeks to configure the Website so that non-essential technologies requiring prior consent under applicable law do not activate until the legally required consent has been obtained.

Depending upon the visitor’s jurisdiction, age-related status, and the Website’s configuration, available choices may include:

  • Accepting non-essential cookies;
  • Rejecting non-essential cookies;
  • Selecting particular categories of cookies;
  • Changing previously selected preferences;
  • Withdrawing previously provided consent; or
  • Exercising applicable privacy rights.

Where a Cookie Settings, Privacy Settings, or similar preference tool is provided, visitors may use that tool to review or modify available choices.

Where applicable law requires consent to be freely given, informed, unambiguous, separately requested, revocable, or otherwise subject to specific requirements, CVAC will seek to obtain and manage consent in accordance with those requirements.

For covered New York minors where the New York Child Data Protection Act applies, CVAC will seek to ensure that the option to refuse non-necessary processing is presented as required by law and that consent can be revoked at least as easily as it was provided.

Declining or withdrawing consent does not prevent the use of technologies that are strictly necessary for Website security, operation, legal compliance, or functionality where applicable law permits such technologies without consent.

CVAC does not intentionally condition access to general victim service information on a visitor agreeing to unnecessary advertising, behavioral tracking, or other non-essential processing.

11. Browser Controls

Most web browsers provide settings that allow users to delete, restrict, or block certain cookies.

A visitor may also be able to:

  • Delete previously stored cookies;
  • Block future cookies;
  • Restrict third-party cookies;
  • Use private or incognito browsing modes;
  • Configure browser privacy protections; or
  • Enable supported privacy signals.

Blocking certain cookies may affect Website functionality.

Browser settings are controlled by the applicable browser provider and may operate independently from CVAC’s Website-based privacy settings.

12. Privacy and Age-Related Signals

Where CVAC is legally required to recognize an applicable browser-based, device-based, or other legally recognized privacy or age-related preference signal, CVAC will seek to honor that signal in accordance with applicable law.

Under applicable New York law, certain qualifying device communications or signals may require an operator to treat a user as a covered minor.

The availability and legal effect of privacy or age-related signals may depend upon the visitor’s jurisdiction, browser, device, applicable regulations, and the type of processing involved.

CVAC does not use a privacy preference or age-related signal as a basis for denying an individual access to victim support information or services where doing so would be inconsistent with applicable law or CVAC’s mission.

13. Information Collected Through Cookies

Depending upon the technology involved, cookies and similar technologies may collect or generate information concerning a visitor’s:

  • IP address or truncated IP address;
  • Browser;
  • Device;
  • Operating system;
  • Pages viewed;
  • Referring pages;
  • Date and time of access;
  • Website interactions;
  • Approximate or generalized geographic area;
  • Technical identifiers;
  • Security information;
  • Consent or privacy preferences; or
  • Website performance.

CVAC seeks to avoid unnecessary collection of information that identifies or could reasonably reveal that a specific individual is seeking particular victim services.

Information voluntarily provided directly to CVAC through a Website form, telephone call, text message, counseling interaction, advocacy interaction, crisis communication, legal services interaction, or other service interaction is governed by the privacy and confidentiality requirements applicable to that communication and is not governed solely by this Cookie Policy.

14. Sensitive Personal Information

CVAC recognizes that Website activity may involve or reveal information concerning highly sensitive matters.

CVAC does not intend to use cookies or similar technologies to create commercial profiles based upon sensitive information concerning:

  • Crime victimization;
  • Domestic violence;
  • Sexual violence;
  • Child abuse or maltreatment;
  • Human trafficking or exploitation;
  • Stalking;
  • Medical conditions;
  • Mental health or counseling;
  • Legal proceedings;
  • Orders of protection;
  • Crisis intervention;
  • Precise safety-related locations;
  • Immigration matters; or
  • Other highly sensitive victim service circumstances.

CVAC does not authorize third parties to use information obtained through CVAC’s Website for the purpose of targeting individuals based upon such sensitive victim service information.

Nothing in this section limits any stronger restriction imposed by applicable confidentiality, victim services, privacy, professional, grant, funding, statutory, or other legal requirements.

15. Sale, Sharing, and Targeted Advertising

CVAC does not sell personal information collected through cookies in exchange for monetary compensation.

Certain privacy laws may define terms such as “sale,” “sharing,” “targeted advertising,” “cross-context behavioral advertising,” or similar concepts more broadly than their ordinary meanings.

Where applicable law grants a visitor rights relating to such processing, CVAC will honor those rights to the extent required by law.

CVAC will not knowingly sell, purchase, disclose, or permit processing of personal information concerning a covered minor in a manner prohibited by applicable law.

CVAC will not knowingly authorize the disclosure of personally identifying information about a victim or service recipient through Website tracking technologies in violation of applicable confidentiality, privilege, victim services, grant, funding, privacy, or other legal requirements.

16. Security and Data Minimization

CVAC seeks to maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the nature and sensitivity of information processed through the Website.

CVAC also seeks to:

  • Limit cookie and tracking data to information reasonably necessary for legitimate Website purposes;
  • Limit access to appropriate persons and service providers;
  • Identify and address reasonably foreseeable privacy and security risks;
  • Maintain appropriate service provider safeguards;
  • Delete or de-identify information when it is no longer reasonably needed, subject to applicable legal requirements; and
  • Review relevant Website technologies as appropriate.

No internet-based technology can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Nothing in this Cookie Policy, however, is intended to reduce, waive, disclaim, or limit any data security, confidentiality, privacy, breach notification, records management, or other information protection obligation imposed upon CVAC by applicable law.

17. Cookie Retention

The length of time a cookie remains on a device depends upon the type of cookie and the technology that places it.

Cookies generally may include:

  • Session cookies, which expire when a browser session ends; and
  • Persistent cookies, which may remain on a device for a specified period or until deleted.

CVAC seeks to configure cookies with retention periods reasonably appropriate to their purposes and to avoid unnecessary retention of tracking information.

Third-party cookies may be subject to retention periods established by the applicable third-party provider, subject to CVAC’s agreements with that provider and applicable law.

Where deletion of personal information concerning a covered minor is required by applicable law, CVAC will seek to delete or direct applicable processors to delete that information in accordance with the legally required timeframe and any applicable exceptions.

Where CVAC provides a detailed cookie preference or consent tool, additional information about particular cookies, providers, purposes, or durations may be made available through that tool.

18. Third-Party Service Providers and Processor Agreements

CVAC may engage service providers or processors to provide Website hosting, security, analytics, forms, accessibility, media, technical support, donation functionality, or other services.

CVAC seeks to select service providers appropriate to the nature and sensitivity of the information involved.

Where required by applicable law, CVAC will maintain written, binding agreements with service providers, processors, or other third parties that process personal data on CVAC’s behalf or receive protected data through the Website.

As appropriate and where legally required, such agreements will address matters including:

  • The nature and purpose of processing;
  • CVAC’s processing instructions;
  • Permitted uses and disclosures;
  • Confidentiality obligations;
  • Appropriate administrative, technical, and physical security safeguards;
  • Restrictions on independent use of information;
  • Restrictions on advertising, profiling, sale, or unauthorized disclosure;
  • Assistance with applicable privacy obligations;
  • Data retention;
  • Return, destruction, or deletion of data;
  • Obligations relating to subprocessors;
  • Demonstration or assessment of compliance; and
  • Other protections required by applicable law.

Service providers processing personal information on CVAC’s behalf are not authorized by this Cookie Policy to use that information for their own advertising, profiling, sale, or unrelated independent purposes except where expressly authorized by CVAC and permitted by applicable law.

Where the New York Child Data Protection Act applies to processing involving a covered minor, CVAC will seek to use written agreements meeting the applicable requirements for processing or disclosure of covered user personal data.

Nothing in this section authorizes a service provider or third party to use information in a manner inconsistent with applicable law, CVAC’s agreement with that provider, or CVAC’s privacy and confidentiality obligations.

19. Digital Safety

Individuals who are experiencing domestic violence, stalking, abuse, exploitation, harassment, coercive control, or other safety concerns should be aware that deleting or blocking cookies does not necessarily remove all evidence of Website activity from a device, account, or network.

Website visits may potentially be reflected through:

  • Browser history;
  • Search history;
  • Downloaded files;
  • Bookmarks;
  • Autofill information;
  • Account activity;
  • Network records;
  • Synced browser data;
  • Device backups;
  • DNS or router records;
  • Shared device activity; or
  • Other device or account records.

Individuals using a device, account, or network that may be monitored or accessed by another person should consider their personal circumstances before changing privacy settings or deleting browsing information, because such changes may themselves be noticeable to another person.

CVAC cannot guarantee that use of the Website will be undetectable to another person who has access to a visitor’s device, browser, account, network, or electronic records.

20. Relationship to Confidential CVAC Services and Victim Information

Cookies, Website analytics, and other Website technologies are not intended to serve as client records or to determine whether an individual is a CVAC client or service recipient.

CVAC does not intend to use Website tracking information as a substitute for confidential counseling, advocacy, crisis, legal, Child Advocacy Center, case management, medical advocacy, or other service records.

No cookie, analytics, advertising, tag management, embedded content, or other Website technology is authorized by this Cookie Policy to disclose personally identifying information concerning a victim or service recipient where such disclosure is prohibited by applicable federal or state victim confidentiality law, statutory privilege, professional obligation, grant or funding requirement, court order, contractual requirement, or CVAC policy.

Where federal or state victim services confidentiality requirements apply to CVAC or a particular program, CVAC will seek to process protected victim or service recipient information in accordance with those requirements.

Nothing in this Cookie Policy authorizes the disclosure of information that is otherwise confidential, privileged, protected, or subject to restrictions under applicable law.

If information obtained through the Website becomes part of a protected client, counseling, advocacy, legal, crisis, Child Advocacy Center, medical, or other service record, the confidentiality, privacy, privilege, security, retention, disclosure, and other protections applicable to that record will govern to the extent required by law.

21. No Waiver or Creation of Rights and Duties

Nothing in this Cookie Policy is intended to waive, reduce, expand, modify, or create any legal, statutory, professional, ethical, contractual, fiduciary, confidentiality, privilege, privacy, data security, victim services, grant-related, funding-related, or other duty except to the extent independently required by applicable law or a separate binding relationship.

Nothing in this Cookie Policy creates a contractual or professional relationship solely by virtue of a visitor’s use of the Website.

Nothing in this Cookie Policy limits any right, protection, remedy, or obligation that cannot lawfully be limited.

If a provision of this Cookie Policy conflicts with a mandatory requirement of applicable law, applicable law will control to the extent of the conflict.

22. Changes to This Cookie Policy

CVAC may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in:

  • Website technology;
  • Cookies or similar technologies;
  • Service providers;
  • Website functionality;
  • Privacy or security practices;
  • Applicable laws or regulations;
  • Regulatory guidance; or
  • CVAC’s operational practices.

When this Cookie Policy is updated, the revised version will be posted on the Website, and the “Last Updated” date will be revised.

Where applicable law requires additional notice, renewed consent, or another action concerning a material change, CVAC will seek to provide such notice, obtain such consent, or take such action as required.

23. Contact Us

Questions regarding this Cookie Policy or CVAC’s Website privacy practices may be directed to:

Crime Victims Assistance Center, Inc.
71 Robinson St
Binghamton, New York 13901

United States

Main Office: (607) 723-3200

For information regarding CVAC services, individuals should contact CVAC through the appropriate service channel.

For immediate crisis advocacy:

24/7 Crisis Line: (607) 722-4256

CVAC also maintains a text line: (607) 725-8196.

The text line is not intended for emergency or immediate response communications. CVAC states that text line inquiries will receive a response by the next business day. Individuals needing immediate support should call the Crisis Line.

If you or another person is in immediate danger, is experiencing a medical emergency, or requires immediate law enforcement assistance, call 911 or the appropriate local emergency service.