Domestic Violence Crisis and Prevention
Domestic Violence Crisis and Prevention
Domestic violence happens in a family or an intimate relationship as a way for one person to control another. Most victims of domestic violence are women, but men can be victims too.
Domestic violence includes physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, choking, shoving, or using objects like knives and guns to injure the victim. It also includes harming someone emotionally by threats, name-calling, or putting someone down. Victims may be raped or forced into unwanted sexual acts. A spouse or partner may steal money and other items, destroy personal belongings, hurt pets, threaten children, or not allow someone to leave the home, work, or see their friends and family.
If any of these things are happening to you, or you are afraid of your partner, you may be in an abusive relationship. Domestic violence is a crime and legal protections are available to you. Leaving a violent relationship is not easy, but you can get help.
For more information from the City of Philadelphia, please visit the Office of Domestic Violence Strategies.
Domestic Violence Resources
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 866-723-3014
Text “LOVEIS” to 22522
- Hotline counselors can assist you 24/7 with a variety of services, including emergency shelter, safety planning, crisis-intervention resources, and support for survivors and/or individuals acting abusively.
- Calls are free, confidential, anonymous, and interpretation services are available for any language.
- If you are concerned about a friend or family member, call the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline to speak with someone about your concerns and to find out more about how you can be a support to them.
Women Against Abuse (WAA)
215-386-1280
100 South Broad Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia PA 19110
- Free legal advocacy and representation for relationship violence-related legal matters including: Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders, child custody, and child support
- Variety of workshops for community groups, organizations, public schools, and city agencies, varying from one to two hours long, and available in both English and Spanish
Women In Transition (WIT)
215-564-5301 (General Inquiries)
215-751-1111 (LifeLine Confidential Counseling Support, Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.)
718 Arch Street, Suite 401N
Philadelphia, PA 19106
- Individual and group empowerment counseling to address either domestic violence, substance use, or both (women-identified survivors only)
- Trainings that can be tailored for an organization’s or community’s needs, including WAVE, an empowering safety and self-defense program
Lutheran Settlement House’s Bilingual Domestic Violence Program
215-426-8610, Ext. 1278
1340 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125
- Individual counseling for all survivors, including men and teens
- Group programming includes Parenting After Violence and Economic Justice
- Individual/group counseling for children and youth who have witnessed domestic violence or teens who have experienced relationship violence
- Wide variety of professional trainings, as well as community education and outreach events
Congreso Latina Domestic Violence Program (LDVP)
215-763-8870, Ext. 1353
216 West Somerset Street
Philadelphia, PA 19133
- Individual and group counseling for all survivors including men and teens
- Spanish support group ongoing; English support group depending on demand
- Individual/group counseling and support groups for children and youth who have witnessed domestic violence or teens who have experienced relationship violence
- Limited family law and domestic violence legal help available
- One-time or multi-session workshops designed to increase awareness of and prevent domestic violence are available for community members, clients, or professionals, in English or Spanish
Domestic Violence Medical Advocacy
STOP Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Lutheran Settlement House has partnered with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to address intimate partner violence and teen dating violence through the STOP IPV initiative. The program is located at the following medical centers:
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
215-590-1000
3401 Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Open 24/7 - CHOP – Karabots Pediatric Center
267-425-9800
4865 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139
Closed on Sundays - Christopher’s Hospital for Children
215-427-6869
160 E Erie Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19134 - Aria Frankford Hospital
215-831-2000
877-808-2742
4900 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19124 - Einstein Medical Center
215-456-7890
501 Old York Road
Philadelphia, PA 19141
Congreso de Latinos Unidos’ Latina DV Program
These bilingual medical support services recommended by LDVP include a team of bilingual and bicultural medical professionals:
- Esperanza Health Center
215-831-1100
3156 Kensington Avenue
Philadelphia PA 19134 - Congreso Health Center
267-765-2272
412 West Lehigh Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19133
Do You Need Counseling After Experiencing Sexual Violence?
Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR)
215-985-3333 (24/7 Hotline)
1617 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 800
Philadelphia, PA 19103
- Free individual and group counseling to children and adults who have experienced sexual violence, including: sexual abuse, sexual assault, rape/date rape, and incest
- Services accessible at any point after the trauma has occurred
Are You an Immigrant Experiencing Domestic Violence?
Nationalities Service Center
215-893-8400
1216 Arch Street, 4th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society Pennsylvania (HIAS)
215-832-0900
600 Chestnut Street, Suite 500B
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Are You Worried About How You Treat Your Partner?
Courdea (Menergy)
215-242-2235
Rodin Place, Suite 304
2000 Hamilton Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Menergy is a counseling and therapy program with services in English and Spanish for people who have been verbally or physically harmful in a relationship.
All information provided in this brochure was sourced from the City of Philadelphia Office of Domestic Violence Strategies.
