Best Domestic Violence in Pennsylvania — 17 resources

About Domestic Violence for Women

Domestic violence services for women are anchored by the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE), the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and a state coalition in every state coordinated through the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). VAWA funds shelters, transitional housing, legal services, and immigration relief (U-visa, T-visa, VAWA self-petition). Survivors can obtain civil protective orders, address-confidentiality through state ACP programs, and victim advocates through local prosecutor offices. The National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE) and StrongHearts Native Helpline serve specific survivor populations. This directory includes hotlines, shelters, state DV coalitions, and protective order resources.

Domestic Violence in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Courts of Common Pleas handle family matters in each of its 60 judicial districts. The Pennsylvania Child Support Program operates through county domestic relations sections. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Reading are the major metros. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Neighborhood Legal Services, MidPenn Legal Services, and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) serve women.

17 Resources

1. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Free

Statewide coalition coordinating DV services for women and survivors of domestic violence. Services include 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter, safety planning, and legal advocacy. All contact is confidential; shelter location is kept private for safety. Available 24/7.

(800) 932-4632 · 3605 Vartan Way Suite 101, Harrisburg, PA 17110 · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

2. Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh — Free

DV services for the Pittsburgh area for women and survivors of domestic violence in Pennsylvania. Services include 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter, safety planning, and legal advocacy. All contact is confidential; shelter location is kept private for safety. Available 24/7.

(412) 687-8005 · Pittsburgh, PA (confidential) · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

3. Laurel House — Montgomery County — Free

DV shelter and services for suburban Philadelphia for women and survivors of domestic violence in Pennsylvania. Services include 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter, safety planning, and legal advocacy. All contact is confidential; shelter location is kept private for safety. Available 24/7.

(800) 642-3150 · Norristown, PA (confidential) · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

4. NOVA — Bucks County — Free

DV services for Bucks County for women and survivors of domestic violence in Pennsylvania. Services include 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter, safety planning, and legal advocacy. All contact is confidential; shelter location is kept private for safety. Available 24/7.

(800) 675-6900 · Bucks County, PA (confidential) · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

5. Domestic Violence Center of Chester County — Free

DV services for Chester County for women and survivors of domestic violence in Pennsylvania. Services include 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter, safety planning, and legal advocacy. All contact is confidential; shelter location is kept private for safety. Available 24/7.

(888) 711-6270 · Chester County, PA (confidential) · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

6. PA Crime Victims Compensation — Free

Financial assistance for crime victims for women and survivors of domestic violence in Harrisburg. Services include 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter, safety planning, and legal advocacy. All contact is confidential; shelter location is kept private for safety. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(800) 233-2339 · 3101 N Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17110 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Crisis Center North — Allegheny County — Free

DV services for northern Pittsburgh suburbs for women and survivors of domestic violence in Pennsylvania. Services include 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter, safety planning, and legal advocacy. All contact is confidential; shelter location is kept private for safety. Available 24/7.

(412) 364-5556 · Allegheny County, PA (confidential) · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

8. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

Free 24/7 confidential crisis support for women experiencing domestic abuse. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org. Trained advocates provide safety planning, shelter referrals, and emotional support in over 200 languages.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Loveisrespect — Free

Free 24/7 support for young women experiencing dating abuse. Call 1-866-331-9474, text LOVEIS to 22522, or chat at loveisrespect.org. Trained peer advocates designed for teens and young adults ages 13-26.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. StrongHearts Native Helpline — Free

Free, confidential, culturally appropriate domestic and dating violence helpline for Native American women. Call 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) to speak with a Native advocate who understands tribal culture.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Futures Without Violence — Free

National nonprofit working to prevent and end violence against women, children, and families with safety information, training, and free resources at futureswithoutviolence.org.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. DomesticShelters.org — Free

Searchable database of domestic violence shelters and programs across the US and Canada. Women can search by city or zip code to find shelters, transitional housing, and legal advocates near them confidentially.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Casa de Esperanza — Free

National resource center mobilizing Latina communities to end domestic and sexual violence with bilingual resources and a Spanish-language DV hotline.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) — Free

US Department of Justice office implementing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Provides information about VAWA protections, housing rights for DV survivors, and immigration protections at justice.gov/ovw.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. RAINN — Sexual Assault Hotline — Free

RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) and online.rainn.org. Free, confidential 24/7 support for women survivors of sexual assault with crisis counseling, safety planning, and local referrals.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many domestic violence resources are in Pennsylvania?
Women's Corner tracks 17 domestic violence resources for women in Pennsylvania.
Are domestic violence resources in Pennsylvania free?
17 of the 17 listed domestic violence resources in Pennsylvania are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Pennsylvania have domestic violence resources?
Listings span cities including Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Norristown, Bucks County, Chester County, Allegheny County.
What are some examples of domestic violence resources in Pennsylvania?
Featured entries include Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, Laurel House — Montgomery County, NOVA — Bucks County, Domestic Violence Center of Chester County.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
7 of 17 Pennsylvania domestic violence listings include phone numbers.
How do I get a restraining order?
Go to your county's family or civil courthouse and ask the clerk for a 'protective order' or 'order of protection' petition — no attorney or filing fee required. Temporary ex parte orders can be issued the same day. A full hearing follows within 10–21 days. Court advocates and DV agencies help fill out forms; bring any evidence (texts, photos, police reports).
Where can I go right now if I'm not safe?
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (text START to 88788) — they connect you to your nearest shelter, arrange emergency transport, and help with a safety plan. Shelters are confidential, free, and 24/7. If you're in immediate danger, call 911 and ask for a DV advocate at the scene.
Will the shelter take my kids?
Yes. Domestic violence shelters accept women with children — most accommodate boys up to age 17 (a few have age limits around 12–13 for older boys, and will arrange alternate placement nearby). Pets are increasingly welcome through programs like RedRover and Sheltering Animals & Families Together. Bring kids' birth certificates, school records, and any medications if you can.
Is the hotline really free and confidential?
Yes — the National DV Hotline and all state DV hotlines are free, confidential, anonymous, available 24/7, and offered in 200+ languages. Advocates don't report to police, immigration, or CPS unless you request it (mandatory reporting applies only to active child abuse). You can call to plan, vent, or just ask questions before deciding anything.