Victim Resource Center

Ontario County DWI Victim Advocate

Sarah P

Sarah Palermo is a volunteer DWI Victim Advocate for the Ontario County STOP-DWI Program.  Sarah lost her precious daughter, Lindsay, at the hands of an impaired driver. A passionate advocate for victims, Sarah speaks throughout New York State at DWI Impact Panels and was recently nominated to the Ontario County Traffic Safety Board.  If you would like to contact Sarah, please email us at stopdwi@co.ontario.ny.us 

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Long after the crash, survivors, family and friends continue to feel the impact. MADD Victim Services can provide emotional support and assistance in a variety of ways after a drunk or drugged driving crash, all at no cost to victims and survivors.  Sometimes that begins by finding someone who can listen, someone whose shoulder you can lean on or whose hand you can hold.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has compassionate, victim-focused staff and volunteers available nationwide 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.  

If you need immediate assistance:  24-Hour Victim Help Line: 877.MADD.HELP

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New York State has an entire article of law dedicated to serving the interests of crime victims. The Fair Treatment Standards for Crime Victims is contained within Article 23 of the Executive Law. The purpose of that act is to ensure that the State’s criminal justice system has appropriate standards for the treatment of innocent victims of crime. Much of the information contained in Article 23 is explained in OVS’s Rights of Crime Victims in New York State pamphlet which is designed to be an important resource for those who are facing the challenges associated with being a crime victim; it is an excellent source of information on victims’ rights relating to judicial proceedings, victim impact statements, restitution and much more.

OVS has a very active grants program that supports nearly 200 Victim Assistance Programs across the State. OVS-funded victim services are accessible to citizens of every county in the State. The Victim Assistance Programs funded by OVS can be identified by going to Help for Crime Victims.

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Ontario County has joined New York State in becoming a leader in protecting the rights of crime victims, including the victims of vehicle crashes at the hands of impaired and distracted drivers.  Since 1967, the New York State Crime Victims Board has been compensating innocent victims for their losses.  In 1981, the Board began funding programs to specifically address the unique needs of survivors of crime.  The Ontario County District Attorney's Office Victim/Witness Assistance Program was established in 1992 to ease the trauma caused by victimization.

For more information, contact Coordinator Jennifer Lewis at Jennifer.Lewis@ontariocountyny.gov or at 585-393-2976.