Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse

If you are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or child abuse committed by an adult, your case will be assigned to the Family Violence Sexual Assault Unit (FVSA). This unit staffs experienced prosecutors, victim advocates, and detectives. If you are a victim of a Juvenile Offender please refer to the Victims of Juvenile Offenders and Juvenile Victims of Adult Offenders section.

A case is considered domestic violence when the victim and offender are related through blood, marriage, or have any type of intimate relationship at the time of the incident. Crimes of domestic violence include but are not limited to; assault, terroristic threats, harassment, intimidation, theft (between family members), and violation of any restraining order.

Sexual assault cases are defined by any inappropriate sexual contact between a victim and offender whether there is a prior relationship or not. This may include incidents between spouses, intimate partners, children, and strangers. 

Child abuse cases are defined by physical or sexual abuse against a child committed by an adult or another child.

If you need information about a pending or disposed domestic violence or sexual assault case handled by the FVSA Unit, please call (215) 686-8096 or send an e-mail to DA.Victimservices@phila.gov.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

I am the victim of domestic violence. What should I do?

Call 911 immediately. Your information will be referred to the police district where you are located, and district officers will contact you regarding your complaint. 

• For Crisis and Counseling services for victims of domestic violence please contact the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline 1-866-SAFE-014

   

What is a Protection from Abuse Order?

A restraining order. Under the Protection from Abuse Act, you have the right to go to court and ask a judge for a protection from abuse order (often called a PFA order) forcing your abuser to leave you alone. The court order may include any of the following:

• Stopping the abuser from further acts of abuse;

• Evicting the abuser from your household;

• Keeping the abuser from going to your home, school, or job;

• Giving you or the other parent temporary custody of, or temporary visitation, with your child or children.

Am I eligible for a Protection from Abuse Order?

The Protection from Abuse Act focuses on preventing abuse between family or household members, sexual or intimate partners, or persons who have children together. You are eligible if such a person:

• Injured you or is trying to injure you (physically or sexually);

• Is making you afraid that you will be seriously injured;

• Is preventing you from going somewhere;

• Is abusing or has abused minor children (physically or sexually); or

• Is stalking you so that you become afraid of getting hurt.

How do I obtain a Protection from Abuse Order?

You can file for a Protection from Abuse Orders at the following locations and times:

I have a Protection from Abuse Order and it has been violated. What do I do?

Call 911 immediately and report the violation. Once the police arrive at your location, you may be asked to show a copy of the protection order so keep a copy with you at all times. Pennsylvania State Police and Philadelphia Police keep a record of all active protection orders, so the officer may need to confirm that your order is valid before making an arrest. 

Note: Police will NOT evict your abuser unless your order specifically states "eviction."

I received a Stay Away Order in court. Is that the same thing as a Protection from Abuse Order?

No. Stay Away Orders are temporary, are issued by Judges, and are only good for 1 year or until your case is resolved. Additionally, Stay Away Orders are not entered into the police computer system. For a permanent Protection from Abuse Order, you must go to 34 South 11th Street and file for a Protection from Abuse Order. All active protection orders are recognized by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Philadelphia Police.

I am the victim in a domestic violence case and I want to drop charges. How do I drop charges? 

The decision to file and/or drop charges in criminal cases is that of the District Attorney's Office. As the victim, your request will be considered, but the final decision to drop criminal charges is made only by the District Attorney's Office.

I am a victim of sexual assault. What should I do?

Call 911 immediately. Your information will be referred to the Special Victims Unit of the Philadelphia Police Department and detectives from that unit will contact you for investigation. The Special Victims Unit can be reached at (215) 686-3251. It is important that all sexual assaults are reported immediately to preserve possible evidence. Do not shower and leave everything as is for the police to assist the investigation.

Counseling services for victims of sexual assault are available from:

WOAR - Women Organized Against Rape

1233 Locust Street, Suite 202

Philadelphia, PA 19107

(215) 985-3333 (hotline)

www.woar.org

What should I do if I think my child has been a victim of child abuse?

Call 911 immediately. You can also contact our Family Violence and Sexual Assault Victim Services Coordinator at (215) 686-8084.

What should I do if I think that a child is being abused or neglected?

Contact the Department of Human Services 24 hour hotline at (215) 683-6100.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES - VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES - VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE