Survivor Resources
If you are a survivor of sexual assault or intimate partner violence: You are not alone. It's not your fault. We believe you. You are valuable and we support you.
These are resources available to aid you on your path to recovery. Which services you choose to access is your choice: some people go to the police, others seek out support from friends and family; another choice is to seek out counseling. You can do all of these or none of these—there is no wrong way to respond after violence or trauma. There is no time frame in which you must complete your healing process; for example in Pennsylvania you have the right to file a report up to 12 years after a sexual assault occurs. It's never too late to get support and do what you need to heal.
HOTLINES
woar (women organized against rape) HOTLINE (215-985-3333)
Philadelphia’s only rape crisis center and one of the first in the nation, whose mission is to eliminate all forms of sexual violence through specialized treatment services, comprehensive prevention education programs, and advocacy for the rights of victims of sexual assault.
RAINN (rape, abuse & incest national network) hotline (800-656-4673 / web chat)
RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country. Free services include confidential support from a trained staff member, support finding a local health facility that is trained to care for survivors of sexual assault and offers services like sexual assault forensic exams, someone to help you talk through what happened, local resources that can assist with your next steps toward healing and recovery, referrals for long term support in your area, information about the laws in your community, and basic information about medical concerns.
national DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE (800-799-7233 / web chat)
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.
philadelphia domestic violence hotline (866-723-3014)
A free, city-wide point of access for crisis intervention, safety planning, resources, linkages to community services, and intake to the Women Against Abuse emergency shelter. 24/7, multilingual.
National Street Harassment Hotline (855-897-5910 / Web Chat)
Advice and support for those impacted by street harassment to receive help and appropriate resources. 24/7, English and Spanish.
Making a police Report
To report an assault to the police and get a medical exam you can call 911, go to your local police district, or by contacting the Philadelphia Police Department Special Victims Unit. WOAR (Women Organized Against Rape) also provides support and advocacy services during the medical exam process and during any future court proceedings.
obtaining a court order
Another available option is to apply for a Protection From Abuse Order (PFA) or a Sexual Violence Protection Order (SVPO). To find out what sort of order to apply for and where to go to do it, individuals can be directed to call Women Against Abuse Legal Center (215-686-7082) or the WOAR hotline. People who have a dating/intimate partner/family relationship with their perpetrator file for a PFA, and the Sexual Violence Protection Order is for people who do not have one of those relationships with their perpetrator. These orders require the offender stay away from the victim (SVPO) or that the abuse no longer continues (PFA), and are process through civil court, with no requirement in pursuing criminal prosecution.
Seeking Counseling
WOAR (Women Organized Against Rape) provides individual and group counseling to adults and children who have experienced sexual assault or abuse. They work with all genders and ages. And the abuse/assault can be recent or at any time in the past. They accept walk-in appointments Monday-Friday, 10am to 4pm. They also have a Drop-In Adult Group, Queer Survivors Group and others.
There are also many other therapists throughout the city that specialize in sexual assault/abuse that can help such as the Therapy Center of Philadelphia.
free and confidential group / individual
services in PHILADELPHIA COUNTY:
Women In Transition (LifeLine - 215-751-1111)
Serves survivors identifying as a women, 14 years of age or older, regardless or sexual orientation (historical outreach to queer women), with individual services in Spanish available, and play care available while receiving services.
Lutheran Settlement House (215-426-8610, ext. 1236)
Serves survivors of any gender identity 14 years of age or older, regardless of sexual orientation (with historical outreach to queer men), and also supplies teen dating violence counseling.
Congreso de Latinos Unidos (215-763-8870 ext 1353)
Serves survivors of any gender identity 14 years of age or older for confidential counseling, Youth Advocacy (individual counseling and non-confidential psychoeducational support groups) for youth of any gender ages 4-17 who have witnessed violence in the home. Individual and group services available in Spanish.
Attending Supportive Events
Take Back the Night Philly
An annual event that takes place every April at the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia. Four marches from different points in the city converge at the meeting space, where there is a street action to raise awareness about sexual assault. This is followed by a meet-up inside the church, where survivors can share their stories with a supportive crowd. The night ends with a candlelight vigil. This event also has therapists on hand to support participants as needed.
Many survivors also attend our event, the March to End Rape Culture.
Further Resources for SURVIVORs
Philly Survivor Support Collective
Support survivors in directing their own healing. They offer alternatives to the legal system for survivors to seek justice and safety. They "work to transform communities to end sexual assault."
V.O.I.C.E. (Victory Over Inconceivable Cowardly Experiences)
A local survivor network that seeks to elevate the voices of survivors. They hold monthly self help/support group run by survivors. More info is available via email.
LGBTQ RESOURCES
Health Care
Mazzoni Center (215-563-0652)
Mazzoni Center is the only health care provider in the Philadelphia region specifically targeting the unique health care needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Provides education, direct medical and care services, psychosocial services, legal services, and support groups.
hotlines
trans lifeline (LIFELINE - 877-565-8860 / web chat)
A hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people. Trans Lifeline volunteers are ready to respond to whatever support needs members of our community might have.
the trevor project (866-488-7386)
Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people.
ALLY RESOURCES
Men Can Stop Rape
An international organization that mobilizes men to use their strength for creating cultures free from violence, especially men’s violence against women. MCSR provides agencies, schools, and organizations with direct services for youth, public service messaging, and leadership training.
A Call To Men
A national violence prevention organization providing training and education for men, boys and communities, whose aim is to shift social norms that negatively impact our culture and promote a more healthy and respectful definition of manhood.
Coaching Boys Into Men
Athletic coaches play an extremely influential and unique role in the lives of young men, often serving as a parent or mentor to the boys they coach. Because of these special relationships, coaches are uniquely poised to positively influence how young men think and behave both on, and off, the field. The Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM) program facilitates these connections by providing high school athletic coaches with the resources they need to promote respectful behavior among their players and help prevent relationship abuse, harassment, and sexual assault.
Further Resources for Allies
For more ideas on how allies can help in dismantling rape culture, please visit our Take Action page.
Perpetrator rehabilitation resources
Menergy (215-242-2235 English / 267-625-6135 Spanish)
Offers programs for people of any gender who are perpetrating intimate partner violence. Their program has accountability measures (for example staying in contact with survivor partners to verify what they're hearing in session, advising survivors about chances of their partners doing the work to become safer). The services include individual and group counseling.
Joseph J. Peters Institute (215-665-8670)
Offers survivor and batterer services (multiple locations available) for domestic violence and sexual assault. Provides clinical counseling, and can be covered under health insurance.
SAFE (Stop Abuse, Foster Empowerment) For Men (610-326-9250 Ext. 1197)
A therapeutic group intervention for men who have been identified as domestic violence offenders. This intervention is designed to decrease intimate relationship abuse, ensuring the safety of women and children while breaking the devastating cycle of domestic violence.
