The Crime Victim Center of Erie County, Inc. was established in 1973 as the Erie County Rape Crisis Center, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting sexual assault victims and their families and friends. In 1986, Victim Witness Services was established for victims of other violent crimes, their families and friends, and also to serve the witnesses to violent crimes. After 45 years of providing direct victim services and community education and outreach, CVC knows first-hand, there is hope and there is help. First, we know that when victims receive the help and support they need, something wonderful can happen: Healing. They can reconnect, find meaning within the context of their life story, and be unburdened enough from the violence or crime to live fulfilled lives. To facilitate healing, CVC provides a full continuum of services to victims and witnesses of any type of crime including sexual assault, homicide, simple and aggravated assault, robbery, home invasion, and child and elder abuse. Trained Counselor Advocates provide crisis intervention, counseling, accompaniment through the criminal justice and medical systems, and victim compensation and restitution assistance to help victims cope and begin healing.