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Workplace sexual harassment can make it difficult to know whom to trust, whether to report what happened, or how to protect important records. Some Buffalo employees may be ready to contact a government agency, while others first need confidential support, practical information, or help responding to stalking, threats, or related conduct. The Buffalo harassment resources below provide several places to start.
This page offers general information only. It is not legal advice, and using these resources does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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Reviewed by an award-winning employment discrimination attorney at Phillips & Associates
William K. Phillips
Buffalo Sexual Harassment Resources
Employees in Buffalo can contact state and federal agencies that receive certain workplace sexual harassment and discrimination complaints. Local community organizations may also provide support and referrals for people who face additional barriers because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- EEOC Buffalo Local Office: Accepts federal workplace harassment and discrimination charges from employees in Erie County and other parts of upstate New York. The office is located at 300 Pearl Street in Buffalo, and the EEOC can be reached at 1-800-669-4000.
- New York State Division of Human Rights: Investigates qualifying complaints involving sexual harassment, retaliation, and other forms of employment discrimination under the New York State Human Rights Law.
- Pride Center of Western New York: Offers one-on-one support, social and support groups, and connections to LGBTQ+-affirming medical and mental health services for people throughout Western New York. The center can be reached at 716-852-7743.
- The Buffalo Commission on Citizens’ Rights and Community Relations: This organization accepts discrimination complaints and reviews patterns or incidents involving local businesses, organizations, and government. It cannot represent individuals in personal claims.
Employees may have the option to report harassment internally, file a complaint with a government agency, or speak with a sexual harassment attorney. Each route may involve different procedures and deadlines, so workers can seek information before deciding how they want to respond.
Support for Related Abuse or Safety Concerns in Buffalo
Sexual harassment may occur alongside stalking, threats, sexual violence, domestic abuse, or conduct that continues beyond the workplace. Buffalo and Erie County organizations offer crisis intervention, advocacy, safety planning, counseling, and referrals for people facing these related concerns.
- Crisis Services: Provides confidential crisis intervention, case management, safety planning, sexual-assault advocacy, and hospital support throughout Erie County. Its 24-hour crisis and rape or sexual-assault hotline is 716-834-3131.
- Family Justice Center of Erie County: Assists people experiencing domestic or relationship abuse through safety planning, crisis support, court advocacy, forensic medical care, and referrals to community services. Its SafeLine is 716-558-SAFE (7233).
- BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program: Provides court advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, counseling, case management, and referrals for employment, housing, and financial needs. Buffalo residents can receive assistance even without a pending criminal case by calling 716-858-4630.
- New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence: Operates the confidential New York State Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906, by text at 844-997-2121, and through online chat. It also provides information about technology-facilitated gender-based violence and local service providers.
- Erie County Victim/Witness Services Bureau: Provides free advocacy, court accompaniment, referrals, and support for victims and witnesses involved in criminal proceedings. The bureau can be reached at 716-858-4640.
- 211 Western New York: Connects callers with health, mental health, housing, domestic-abuse, and other community services throughout Western New York. The free and confidential service is available 24 hours a day by dialing 211.
New York and National Harassment Help Resources
Statewide and national services may provide additional workplace guidance, peer support, referrals, safety-planning materials, or tools for documenting harassment that occurs in person or online.
- New York Attorney General: Provides New York-specific information about workplace sexual harassment, retaliation, and available complaint options. The office also investigates broader patterns or practices of employment harassment, although it does not handle isolated individual incidents.
- Workplaces Respond: Provides resources for workers affected by sexual harassment, stalking, sexual assault, and domestic violence that intersect with the workplace.
- Right To Be: Offers resources for responding to workplace, public, and online harassment, along with bystander-intervention training and harassment-prevention tools.
- HeartMob: Provides peer support for people experiencing online harassment and allows supportive bystanders to help document or report abusive conduct.
- VictimConnect Resource Center: Offers confidential information and referrals for people affected by harassment, stalking, and other crimes at 1-855-484-2846.
- SPARC: Provides stalking incident logs, safety-planning materials, victim handbooks, and information about recognizing patterns of stalking.
- Cyber Civil Rights Initiative: Operates a free, 24-hour Image Abuse Helpline at 1-844-878-2274 for people affected by nonconsensual intimate images, sextortion, and related online abuse.
- New York State Office of Victim Services: Connects crime victims with assistance programs and provides information about compensation for certain expenses resulting from a crime.
- RAINN: Operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 and provides confidential online support.
Preparing to Ask for Help for Sexual Harassment
New York employees do not need to have a complete collection of evidence before contacting a resource or asking questions about sexual harassment. Preserving available information can nevertheless make it easier to describe what happened, identify a pattern, and explain how the employer responded.
Potentially useful records include emails, text messages, screenshots, workplace complaints, performance records, witness names, and notes showing when and where incidents occurred. Workers should generally keep copies in a personal account or another location that the employer or alleged harasser cannot access.
Who We Are –
HarassmentHelp.org
HarassmentHelp.org is a project of Phillips & Associates PLLC, a law firm focused on workplace sexual harassment and employee rights. Created by award-winning sexual harassment lawyers, we provide confidential support and safeguard employees from retaliation to end harassment, recover compensation, and protect their careers.
RGA Approach
We guide you through RGA — Rights, Guidance, and Action, a safe and supportive process designed to help you protect yourself, preserve your career, and stop harassment.
We help you understand what’s acceptable in the workplace, what crosses the line, and how the law protects you from harassment and retaliation.
We offer confidential, nonjudgmental support before any formal action, helping you evaluate the safest and most effective steps for your situation.
You never have to face harassment on your own. We can help you create a plan that feels safe and manageable, and connect you with trusted sexual harassment attorneys who can draft complaints, handle communication for you, or work toward a private resolution.
