PALawHelp.org

Domestic Violence & Protection From Abuse

Legal Information > Victims of Crime - Domestic Violence

This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Domestic Violence and Protection From Abuse issues in Pennsylvania.

• Battered Spouse, Children & Parents - Immigrant Visa Petitions

  Information from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services about immigrant visa petitions under the Violence against Women Act (VAWA). VAWA allows certain spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens and certain spouses and children of permanent residents (Green Card holders) to file a petition for themselves, without the abuser's knowledge. This allows victims to seek both safety and independence from their abuser, who is not notified about the filing. Content Detail

  By:

  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

• Civil Protection Orders - Bilingual Forms

  Bilingual information and forms regarding obtaining protection through a Protection from Abuse Order or a Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence and/or Intimidation Order. Content Detail

  By:

  Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System

• Domestic Violence and Welfare Support Requirements

  Information from the Women's Law Project and Philadelphia Bar Association, hosted by the Philadelphia Courts website, 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. [PDF] Content Detail

  By:

  Women's Law Project and Philadelphia Bar Association

• Find Your Local Domestic Violence Program - Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

  Help centers across the state provide free, confidential counseling, shelter, legal, and economic services for domestic violence victims and their children. Locate a center near you using your city or zip code; or your current location identified by your mobile device or computer. Content Detail

  By:

  Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

• Getting a Protection From Abuse Order - Pennsylvania (Video)

  This video from Philadelphia Legal Assistance explains the court process for obtaining a Protection From Abuse Order. The video is part of Philadelphia Legal Assistance's "Make Your Case" video series. Read More

  By:

  Philadelphia Legal Assistance

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  French / Français

  Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt

• How to Obtain a Civil Protection Order (Video)

  This video from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts explains the process for obtaining a civil protection order from the courts. Read More

  By:

  Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Information on the Legal Rights Available to Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence in the United States and Facts about Immigrating on a Marriage-Based Visa

  This fact sheet from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will explain domestic violence and inform immigrants of their legal rights in the United States. Content Detail

  By:

  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

• PROJECT S.A.F.E. (Stop Abuse and Financial Exploitation) - Elder Abuse

  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. Content Detail

  By:

  SeniorLAW Center (Philadelphia)

• Protection From Abuse

  Information from Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. on the protection available to you under the Pennsylvania Protection From Abuse Act. Read More

  By:

  Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Protection From Abuse: Help Is Just A Phone Call Away (Video)

  This video from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a 2 1/2-minute primer on how domestic violence victims may obtain a protection-from-abuse court order against an abusive partner. Read More

  By:

  Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

• Protection Order Resources for Victims of Crime from PASafeLaw.org

  Protection orders can be powerful tools in helping to keep victims of crime safe. Civil protection orders are meant to help keep victims safe. A judge will sign the order to stop the abuser from contacting and abusing the victim and may also provide other forms of relief, including custody, relinquishment of firearms, and/or eviction of the abuser, that help assure victim safety and security. Content Detail

  By:

  PASafeLaw

• Protection Orders: How to File for a Protection Order in Pennsylvania (Video)

  This video from the Pennsylvania Courts provides detailed step-by-step instructions on how to file for a protection order. The video will prepare victims for what to expect when they file a protection order by offering a detailed description of each step involved in the filing process. Read More

  By:

  Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Rape Crisis Centers

  Call 1-888-772-7227 or follow the link to locate your local rape crisis center. Information is provided on the locations of Pennsylvania Rape Crisis Centers and services provided by the centers. Read More

  By:

  Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape

• Strangulation

  Resource from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence about Strangulation and Pennsylvania's Strangulation Law including a webinar describing what the law covers and how it works. Content Detail

  By:

  Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence

• The Protection From Sexual Violence and Intimidation Act

  Information from the Pennsylvania Coalition on Domestic Violence about the new Protection From Sexual Violence and Intimidation Act that went into effect on July 1, 2015. The new law extends additional protections to individuals who may not be covered by the provisions of the Protection From Abuse Act. Content Detail

  By:

  Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence