JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — Janey Piotrowski, an advocate for sexual assault victims, works with the Wellness and Forensic Center in Chautauqua County.

"You get privacy and that's really important for victims," said Piotrowski.

What You Need To Know

  • There is a Wellness and Forensic Center in Jamestown to help victims of trauma heal

  • The center focuses on the physical health of patients as well as their mental health

  • Center founders would like this concept to serve as model for others to open upstate

Victims, of any trauma, in need of support and a voice, when they don't feel like talking.  

"They don't trust, either,” said Piotrowski. “And that's important to build that trust within that little amount of time you have with them.”

No one knows that better than Piotrowski, who says she wishes she got the same support when she was held hostage and gang raped as a teen resulting in the birth of her daughter.

"So to help others get justice makes me feel really good,” said Piotrowski. “That's why I have so much passion. I never got justice. Nobody believed me and I also didn't talk about it for a very long time because I didn't believe that it happened. So it's important for these victims to know that they have a voice.” 

"That's why it's so important for us to have a very trauma-informed facility," said Dr. Jennifer Wilcox, co-founder, Wellness and Forensic Center.

Wilcox co-founded the center, a nonprofit facility that focuses on the health and well-being of trauma victims of all ages.

She also speaks around New York state about the need for more access to trauma care, as in more than a year, the team has served more than 150 families.

"And how we work with all of our multidisciplinary partners in the community in hopes that his model can be created across the state," said Wilcox. 

Other co-founder Dr. Tammy Bimber helps provide those medical needs to trauma victims to ensure they're safe, whether it be collecting evidence, testing for infections, administering vaccines or prescribing medication.

"We allow and empower and offer choices. We don't do anything they don't want done,” said Bimber. “Our goal is to make sure the person is healthy, so we will do head to toe examinations.”

"We want them to leave with a sense that they feel that they have control over their bodies again."

Thanks in part to advocates like Piotrowski. 

"And that justice can be served, and they can get better and they can heal," said Piotrowski.

If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse, assault or any other trauma, utilize the following resources:

  • The Salvation Army Anew Center
  • 1-800-252-8748
  • Chautauqua County
  • 1-800-942-6906
  • Wellness and Forensic Center
  • 716-488-7293