MONTOUR FALLS, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Justice Center of the Southern Tier is a new place designed for people who were victims of crime, so they can get what they need to make things right. Located at 320 West Main St. in Montour Falls, the facility serves more than Schuyler County, it provides services to the whole Southern Tier.

"The Justice Center of the Southern Tier, which is a place for victim services to be provided," said Schuyler County District Attorney Joseph Fazzary. He added "They will receive assistance from the Department of Social Services, from Catholic Charities, from Survivor Support Services. Everybody has agreed to come here in a very safe, comfortable setting that is meant to make victims feel like somebody cares about them."

The Justice Center's mission is to support and assist each victim of crime, including their family members. The goal is to help victims live free from violence and fear.

"I've always had this in my mind that I wanted to help victims at a, at a you know more, more impact, in a more impactful way, and it just happened to be at the time when a grant, a grant funding stream became available and it was the first time that I was ready to be able to do this," says Fazzary. 

DA Fazzary acknowledged there are so many victims in the community that have never come forward. The program's atmosphere creates a safe and confidential atmosphere for all clients.

"This is their center. You don't have to come forward and talk to police officers. You don't have to come forward and talk to a prosecutor. This is a place where you can come and talk to somebody that understands what is going on in your world and wants to help you," says Fazzary. 

At Thursday's ribbon cutting, the Justice Center shared, "{We} use a collaborative process which helps to remove barriers to service enabling victims to heal and cultivate hope." 

Resources for support include: Catholic Charities, Survivor Support Services, The National Suicide Prevention Hotline, the New York State Office of Victim Services, the New York State Sheriff's Victim Hotline (VINE), and the New York State Department of Corrections (NYSDICS.) 

The Justice Center of the Southern Tier is open Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 4 pm. The service can be reached with this contact form, or by calling (607)-545-1100.