Resources: Domestic and Sexual Violence


If you, a friend, a family member or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence, or physical or emotional abuse, resources are available:

Contact the police at 911 if you believe you or your loved one is in immediate danger.

Philadelphia Domestic Violence 24-hour hotline: 1-866-723-3014 to get help for yourself or someone else who has experienced domestic violence.  This line is operated by WAA.

Philadelphia Sexual Violence 24-hour hotline: 215-985-3333 to get help for yourself or someone else who has experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual abuse.  This line is operated by Sexual Assault Counselors with WOAR- Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence.

Take this brief, confidential quiz if you think you might be in an abusive relationship. (There is a quick safety exit button on the quiz).

Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline
866-SAFE-014 (866-723-3014)
The 24/7 hotline can direct you to appropriate emergency housing and shelter programs.

Domestic Shelters
Searchable database for shelters and programs

The National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH)
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Operating around the clock, seven days a week, confidential and free of cost, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse. Callers to The Hotline can expect highly trained, experienced advocates to offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information and referral services in over 170 languages. Visitors to this site can find information about domestic violence, safety planning, local resources and ways to support the organization.

National Teen Dating Violence Hotline
1-866-331-9474 or text “LOVEIS” to 22522.

Department of Defense Safe Helpline – Military Sexual Assault
877-995-5247
This crisis support service is available to any member of the Department of Defense community affected by sexual assault. You can click, call, or text to get anonymous one-on-one advice, support, and information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or find more resources from the VA here.

Women Against Abuse

Whether you are in an abusive relationship, or if you are worried about a friend, resources here can help you get accurate information and the help you need.

Women Against Abuse Legal Center
(215) 686-7082, Center City
Free legal advocacy and representation for relationship violence-related legal matters including: Protection from Abuse (PFA) Orders, child custody and child support. 

Philadelphia Legal Assistance Family Law Hotline
215-981-3800 (M-Th, 9:30 a.m. – 12p.m.)
Legal advocacy and representation in family law legal matters, including Protection From Abuse, child custody, child support, and divorce.

Congreso de Latinos Unidos’ Latina DV Program
(215) 763-8870, North Philadelphia
Limited Family Law and domestic violence legal help available. Legal advocacy and representation in relationship violence-related legal matters, including Protection From Abuse, child custody, and child support.

Nationalities Service Center
215-893-8400 (M-F, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Case management, therapy, advocacy, and violence-related immigration services for immigrant victims of crime, including domestic violence

Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
215-832-0900 (M-F, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Domestic violence-related immigration services for immigrant victims of crime, including domestic violence.

Community Legal Services
215-981-3700 (M-F, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Legal assistance for low-income Philadelphians on a range of issues including employment, housing, utilities, and public benefits related issues.

Legal Clinic for the Disabled
215-587-3350, Center City
Provides free legal services to low-income individuals with disabilities.

Senior Law Center
(215) 988-1242
Provides statewide free legal advice, counseling and information on civil legal matters to seniors 60 years old and older.

Philadelphia Legal Assistance
PLA helps clients maintain custody of their children and protect themselves and their children from violence.  The Family Law Unit at Philadelphia Legal Assistance is OPEN during the pandemic.
Family Law Hotline: 215-981-3838 for help Monday – Thursday, 9:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

Temple Legal Aid Office
The Temple Legal Aid Office provides free legal representation in civil law matters to qualifying, low-income, Philadelphia residents. The Legal Aid Office frequently helps clients with issues related to Family law (child and spousal custody and support, kinship adoption, etc.)

Legal Service Department of the Mazzoni Center
Mazzoni Center’s legal services department, is the only program in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that specifically provides direct no-cost or low-cost legal assistance to low-income and lower-income, underserved LGBTQ populations.

Call 215-563-0657

Women’s Law Project
The Women’s Law Project provides free information and guidance on many issues including  those related to reproductive health, paid leave, domestic and sexual violence, sexual harassment, and sex and gender discrimination in schools, the workplace, and other institutions.

Call 215-928-9801 follow the prompts, and leave a message, or submit an intake form through the website.

Counseling

WOAR- Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence
WOAR, Philadelphia’s only rape crisis center, provides free counseling and trauma therapy services to child, teen, and adult survivors of sexual violence, including survivors of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sex trafficking. Free counseling and trauma therapy services offered include individual and group sessions.  Folks in need of WOAR services do not require insurance.

Please contact WOAR via the 24-hour Philadelphia Sexual Violence hotline: 215-985-3333

Women In Transition
(215) 751-1111, Center City
In person and phone counseling in Spanish/English for women affected by domestic violence and/or substance use.

Lutheran Settlement House Bilingual Domestic Violence Program
(215) 426-8610 ext. 1236, Fishtown and Hartranft 
Individual/group counseling in Spanish/English for all survivors including men and teens. LSH is a non-profit, community-based organization committed to serving children, adults, and families living in Philadelphia. The Bilingual Domestic Violence Program provides free, quality counseling services for victims and survivors of domestic and dating abuse regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

Congreso de Latinos Unidos Latina Domestic Violence Program
(215) 763-8870 ext. 1353, North Philadelphia

Joseph J. Peters Institute
215-665-8670 ext. 5105
Counseling services for survivors of trauma.

Children’s Crisis Treatment Center
(215) 496-0707, Center City
Specializes in delivering behavioral health services to children and their families.

Courdea
215-242-2235
Individual counseling for people who have been verbally or physically harmful in a relationship, or who are worried about how they treat their partner. Services available in English and Spanish. Accept private insurance and sliding scale fees available.

Menergy
(215) 242-2235, Fairmount
Counseling & therapy program for people who have been verbally or physically harmful in a relationship. Services in English and Spanish.
 
Joseph J. Peters Institute
(215) 665-8670, Center City
Offers individual, group and family therapy programs for individuals who have committed sexual offenses, have sexual behavior problems or have a history of perpetrating interpersonal violence.

Nationalities Service Center
(215) 893-8400, Center City
Provides safety planning and referrals to service providers

Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
(215) 832-0900, Center City
Provides free immigration legal services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence who seek legal status

SEAMAAC
(215) 467-0690, South Philadelphia
Provides culturally-sensitive and language appropriate case management, safety planning and resource navigation for Asian immigrant and refugee communities in Philadelphia

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)  is a comprehensive source of information on domestic violence.

Teen Dating Violence: If you think your teen is experiencing dating violence (or you are a teen who needs help) you can always contact either the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-866-723-3014 or the National Teen Dating Violence Hotline by calling 1-866-331-9474 or texting “LOVEIS” to 22522.

Love Is Respect: This website is a helpful tool for teens to learn about healthy relationships, and when to seek help if in an unhealthy or abusive relationship.

Black Women’s Blueprint
Black Women’s Blueprint prevention program has had current and past success in creating a safe space for disclosure, supportive services, children’s services and advocacy, as well as fighting against the culture of silence that accompanies sexual abuse. 

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org y rainn.org/es) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community
The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community serves as a national, culturally-specific services issue resource center to provide support to and be a voice for the Black Community in response to domestic, sexual and community violence. Ujima was founded in response to a need for an active approach to ending domestic, sexual and community violence in the Black community.

ACCT Philly
111 West Hunting Park Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19140
(267) 385-3800

SPCA
1546 Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 309-6851

350 E. Erie Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19134
(215) 426-6300