Click on other tabs above for information about legal aid providers and courts in your area. Below is legal information on this sub-topic. You can localize this information by clicking on the"Choose Another Location" link in the right column and selecting the area where you live.
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence Services By County
(Separate Website)
Alphabetical list of Counties identifying domestic violence programs available in the counties.
These program typically provide crisis hotlines, counseling, education, shelter, and advocacy for victims of domestic violence.
By: Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Find Legal Assistance to Get Protection from Domestic Violence
(Separate Website)
Click on the
Find Legal Assistancetab above to locate a legal service provider to assist you in getting protection from domestic violence.
By: PA LawHelp
Information on Local Court Procedures
(Separate Website)
Be sure to click on the
Court Informationtab above and look under "Pennsylvania Courts Self-Help Centers, Information and Forms" for additional information on Protection From Abuse procedures that may be in effect in your county.
Allegheny County: Family Law Forms for Download
(Separate Website)
Family Law Forms available for download from the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County.
By: Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
Protection From Abuse in Lancaster County
(Separate Website)
Information on Protection From Abuse and the procedures for filing an action in Lancaster County, including forms.
By: Lancaster County website
Philadelphia Protection From Abuse Forms
Forms with instructions from the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section for use in Protection From Abuse proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts.
By: Philadelphia Bar Association
Dependable Access for Victimization Expenses (DAVE) Online Claim Filing System
(Separate Website)
This Victims Compensation Assistance Program (Program) helps victims of crime in Pennsylvania with expenses related to a crime. You may use this site to file a claim for compensation.
By: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
Protection From Abuse Information on the Protection From Abuse Act
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
General Protection From Abuse Information
(Separate Website)
Information on Protection From Abuse Orders in Pennsylvania
By: Laurel Legal Services, Inc.
Protection From Abuse
Information for victims of domestic violence on protection orders under a law called the Protection From Abuse Act.
This brochure is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
By: MidPenn Legal Services
The Protection From Abuse Process in Westmoreland County
(Separate Website)
Information on Protection From Abuse procedures in Westmoreland County.
By: Laurel Legal Services, Inc.
General Assistance: Can it be Made Accessible to Survivors of Domestic Violence?
(Separate Website)
A guide on General Assistance (GA) eligibility for people affected by domestic violence.
By: Community Legal Services
Have You Been a Victim of Domestic Violence? You Can Claim "Good Cause" Not to File for Support
(Separate Website)
Information on domestic violence exemptions to the requirement that you file for child support when applying for public assistance.
By: Community Legal Services
You Can be Excused from Welfare Department Rules Because of Domestic Violence
(Separate Website)
Information on obtaining a waiver from welfare rules based on domestic violence.
By: Community Legal Services
Filing for a PFA in Erie County (Video)
(Separate Website)
Public service video outlining what a Protection From Abuse Order is, who can get one and what a PFA Order can and can't do to protect a victim of domestic violence and other abuse. It also outlines the process for requesting and obtaining an Order in the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County.
Erie County Judges John Trucilla and Stephanie Domitrovich are featured in the video, which was professionally produced by the Junior League of Erie and GMD Films, under the supervision of Protection From Abuse Coordinated Services (PFACS), the legal division of SafeNet in Erie.
By: PFACS and Safenet (Erie)
PFA Quiz
(Separate Website)
Interactive quiz providing the answers to some frequently asked questions about Protection From Abuse Orders.
By: PFACS and Safenet (Erie)
Protection From Abuse (PDF)
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet offers a brief overview of the Protection From Abuse Act.
By: Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
PROJECT S.A.F.E. (Stop Abuse and Financial Exploitation)
(Separate Website)
Information on SeniorLAW Center's Project S.A.F.E. (Stop Abuse and Financial Exploitation) which concentrates on the areas of elder abuse, domestic violence, and financial exploitation.
By: SeniorLAW Center (Philadelphia)
Domestic Violence and Welfare Support Requirements
(Separate Website)
Information about the requirement that families who receive cash assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or General Assistance (GA) programs apply for child or spousal support unless excused for good cause.
By: Women's Law Project
Information on Protection From Abuse (PFA) in Philadelphia County
(Separate Website)
Information on how to file a PFA Petition; How to prepare for your hearing; and What to expect in Family Court.
By: Women's Law Project and Philadelphia Legal Assistance
Philadelphia Emergency Domestic Violence Site
(Separate Website)
Information on the Philadelphia Emergency Domestic Violence site, which is responsible for issuance of Emergency Protection from Abuse Orders. It is located at the Criminal Justice Center, Room B-03 at 1301 Filbert St, Philadelphia, PA (215-683-7280). The office is open daily after 5 p.m. (until 8 a.m. when Family Court re-opens). It is open 24 hours on weekends and holidays.
By: Women's Law Project
Protection From Abuse Resource List - Philadelphia
(Separate Website)
List of resources available in Philadelphia to victims of domestic violence.
By: Women's Law Project
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
Protection from Abuse
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Abuse
(Separate Website)
Information on the Pennsylvania Protection from Abuse Act from the Erie County Bar Association.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Frequently Asked Questions - Domestic Violence
(Separate Website)
Answers to common questions about domestic violence.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
Protection from Abuse in Philadelphia County
Information on how to obtain a Protection from Abuse Order in Philadelphia County.
By: Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association
Philadelphia Emergency Domestic Violence Site Information on the Philadelphia Emergency Domestic Violence site which is responsible for issuance of Emergency Protection from Abuse Orders when the Family Court is closed.
By: Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association
Divorce, Custody, PFA, Support; Paternity Pamphlet (Adams County)
(Separate Website)
Information on family law procedures in Adams County
By: Adams County Bar Association
Domestic Violence Safety Plan: Safety Tips for You and Your Family
(Separate Website)
Safety tips for you and your family during a domestic violence crisis.
By: American Bar Association Commision on Domestic Violence
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Victims Compensation
(Separate Website)
Information concerning compensation for victims of crimes.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Educational Brochures on Domestic Violence
(Separate Website)
Various brochures and educational materials focused on domestic violence including knowing your rights, safety for kids, why victims stay, and safety tips. Many brochures are also offered in Spanish.
By: American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence
Pennsylvania PFA Act
(Separate Website)
Text of the Protection From Abuse Act and related information in PDF format.
By: Protection From Abuse Database
Protection From Abuse Database (PFAD)
(Separate Website)
PFAD's mission is to establish and maintain a database that includes all PFA proceedings in the Commonwealth. It is a computer archival system designed to complement the operation of the Pennsylvania State Police Protection Order Registry.
By: Protection From Abuse Database
How to Apply for Immigration Benefits as a Battered Spouse or Child
(Separate Website)
Official US government website with questions and answers regarding the self-petitioning process for battered immigrant spouses and children. Includes links to forms and local low-cost immigration services providers.
By: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Battered Spouse, Children & Parents
(Separate Website)
Information about immigrant visa petitions under the Violence against Women Act (VAWA). VAWA allows certain spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) to file a petition for themselves without the abusers? knowledge.
By: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Beaver County - Steps to Obtain a Temporary Protection From Abuse Order
(Separate Website)
Instructions on how to obtain a protective order from the Court of Common Pleas of Beaver County.
By: Beaver County Court of Common Pleas
Lehigh County Protection From Abuse Office
(Separate Website)
Information on the services provided by the Protection From Abuse office.
By: Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas website
Domestic Violence Publications/Resources
(Separate Website)
Information surrounding domestic violence such as awareness issues, protection from abuse orders, stalking, facts about victims and batterers, and more.
By: Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
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