Survivor's Rights

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.

This video from Neighborhood Legal Services Association discusses the federal housing rights of victims of domestic violence under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). August 2, 2011.

Pennsylvania's Megan's Law requires the State Police to create and maintain a registry of persons who reside, or is transient, work/carry on a vocation, or attend school in the Commonwealth and who have either been convicted of, entered a plea of guilty to, or have been adjudicated delinquent of Certain Sexual Offenses in Pennsylvania or another jurisdiction.

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) Sexual Violence Legal Assistance Project provides free and confidential trauma informed legal advice and short-term legal representation to victims of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment. The project is designed to fill existing gaps where local community legal services are unavailable. Priority is given to victims of non-intimate partner sexual assault.

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

Domestic Violence/PFA Chapter of Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services. (2021)

This resource from the Pennsylvania Courts includes several videos including "How to file for a protection order in Pennsylvania"; "Recognizing the Signs of Abuse" and "Safety Planning". it also answers many frequently asked questions about Protection Orders in Pennsylvania.

Information from the Pennsylvania Coalition on Domestic Violence about the Protection From Sexual Violence and Intimidation Act that went into effect on July 1, 2015. The Protection From Sexual Violence and Intimidation (PSVI) Act applies to adults and minors (children younger than age 18) who are victims of sexual violence, harassment, stalking, and intimidation when the person who is abusing them is not a member of their family or household.

This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, describes what a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order is and how it can protect you and other family members. (August 2020). Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.