Legal Aid of Southeastern PA helps victims of domestic violence, with Protection from Abuse orders and more.
LASP can help victims of domestic violence
Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. LASP offers free legal help for victims of domestic abuse who are seeing Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders in each of the counties that we serve.
If you are in a life-threatening situation, call 911.
LASP has attorneys and paralegals who specialize in domestic violence and Protection from Abuse (PFA) cases in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties.
How to access Legal Aid of Southeastern PA's free legal services for victims of domestic violence:
LASP attorneys are continuing to help clients obtain Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders and address other legal issues related to domestic violence.
All LASP attorneys and staff are working. When working remotely, they are checking voicemail during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Please take the Victims Needs Survey
Take a short survey to help improve resources in your community. Your feedback matters—thank you! bit.ly/PCCD-survey-2024, The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD) needs your input & thanks you for participating!
(Sept. 26, 2024)
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) would appreciate your participation in a brief survey that will play a vital role in ongoing efforts to enhance resources within your community.
Thank you so much for your valuable contribution.
How to contact Legal Aid of Southeastern PA’s domestic violence team
Flyer (1-page PDF): download, print, share
Bucks County
Please call LASP Bucks County at 215-340-1818 and leave a message.
Chester County
Chester County Protection from Abuse clients should contact LASP's West Chester office at 610-436-4510.
If you need immediate assistance, please call 484-803-2131.
Delaware County
LASP's Delaware County Domestic Violence Helpline: 855-879-3100.
Montgomery County
LASP's Montgomery County Domestic Violence Helpline: 855-980-6924.
LASP flyer on legal aid for victims of domestic violence:
English PDF | Spanish PDF
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FAQs about Protection from Abuse orders and domestic violence in Pennsylvania
What qualifies as domestic violence in Pennsylvania to get a PFA?
The following acts, if perpetrated by a family member or intimate partner:
Physical or sexual violence
Threats of violence
Physical or sexual abuse of minor children
Stalking which causes fear of bodily injury
Types of abuse not covered by the PFA statute:
Emotional; Financial; Verbal without threats (i.e. name calling)
What can I do if I am a victim of domestic violence?
Victims of domestic violence can file for a civil protective order called a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order.
A PFA can order the abuser be removed from your shared home, can grant the non-abusive parent temporary custody of their children, and can order the abuser to have no contact with the victim.
The courts are still open to accept PFA petitions.
Victims can obtain an emergency PFA outside of regular business hours by contacting their local police or 911.
To get help related to PFAs or other issues related to domestic violence:
Bucks County domestic violence - 215-340-1818
Chester County domestic violence - 610-436-4510
Delaware County domestic violence - 855-879-3100
Montgomery County domestic violence - 855-980-6924
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior within an intimate relationship that is used by one partner to gain power or control over the other partner. This behavior can include physical, sexual, or psychological violence, and emotional abuse.
I’m not a U.S. citizen. Will I be deported if I seek help?
It is safe to call a domestic violence helpline which can provide you with the safest options for your situation.
What about my housing situation?
The Violence Against Women Act includes protections against eviction for those living in most affordable housing programs.
How long does a PFA last?
A final PFA can be issued for up to 36 months and can sometimes be extended for additional time.
Who is eligible for a PFA order?
A PFA Order is available to anyone abused by a:
Current or former spouse, parent, child, current or former sexual or intimate partner, including same sex partners, such as a boyfriend/girlfriend or father/mother of your children; others related by blood or marriage
What is the Protection from Sexual Violence and Intimidation Act?
The Protection from Sexual Violence and Intimidation Act (PSVI) Act, went into effect in Pennsylvania on July 1, 2015. The PSVI Act applies to victims who are not family and household members, extending protection to include victims of sexual violence who do not have an intimate or family/household relationship.
October 2023 Update
PFA Filings: 2022 state and county data
On Oct. 6, 2023, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) released the latest state and county data on Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders.
In 2022, the number of new PFAs filed statewide increased by 5% from 2021.
Two counites LASP serves - Montgomery & Delaware counties - are in the top 10 Pennsylvania counties with the most PFA filings in 2022.
More information
Read the report: bit.ly/AOPC-PFAs-10-6-2023.
View the data on the PA Courts website: bit.ly/PA-PFA-data.
State fact sheet + data for Bucks, Chester, Delaware & Montgomery counties (5-page PDF: view, download, print)
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
LASP VOCA attorneys handled 1,420 domestic violence and related cases in 2023-24 in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. The total number of survivors and household members protected was 1,653.
In 2023-24, LASP obtained 501 protective orders for survivors of domestic violence in the four counties.
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, LASP highlights the work of our Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) team. Throughout the year, LASP attorneys and paralegals provide trauma-informed free legal help for victims of domestic abuse who are seeking Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders.
LASP VOCA attorneys handled 1,420 domestic violence and related cases in 2023-24 in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. The total number of survivors and household members protected was 1,653.
In 2023-24, LASP obtained 501 protective orders for survivors of domestic violence in the four counties.
LASP attorneys are available to address the needs of domestic violence victims across four counties, including, but not limited to, Protection from Abuse.
Further reading
“Advocacy spotlight: LASP provides crucial legal help for survivors of domestic violence, including Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders in all 4 counties” | Oct. 18, 2024 | Also: LASP’s vital work in Bucks County PFA Court | About civil protection orders | Resources | VOCA’s 40th anniversary
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
April 21-27, 2024
Crime & victimization know no bounds. Anyone can be a victim. Everyone deserves help & to be heard.
LASP's VOCA team of attorneys and paralegal serves Bucks, Chester, Delaware & Montgomery counties. Advocates give our clients voices in the legal system.
We empower victims to feel comfortable enough to share their stories and get the legal help they desperately need.
40th anniversary of VOCA
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). This act was passed by Congress and signed into law on Oct. 12, 1984. VOCA established the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), a Federal Victim Notification System, discretionary grants for victim service organizations, victim assistance positions in the Dept. of Justice, financial support for the Children’s Justice Act Program, and assistance and compensation for victims and survivors of terrorism.
In 1988, the law was amended establishing the federal Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) as the administrator of the CVF. The CVF consists of deposits from federal criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds, penalties, and special assessments collected by U.S. Attorneys' Offices, federal courts, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act was signed into law in 2021, mandating that monetary penalties from federal deferred and non-prosecution agreements also be added to the CVF rather than the General Treasury. Crucially, the CVF does not use taxpayer dollars. Since 2007, more than $31 billion has been deposited into the CVF.
Because of VOCA and CVF, OVC is able to support thousands of programs annually with millions of dollars invested in services provided directly to crime victims who have suffered physical, emotional, and financial harm from victimization.
Resources
Statewide resource
PALawHelp.org/voca is a new resource for victims of domestic violence, with “know your rights” information, the Victims Compensation Assistance Program, and PASafeLaw Helpline.
Bucks County
LASP Bucks County
Please call our Bristol office 215-781-1111 or our Doylestown office 215-340-1818, 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Additional Bucks County resources:
A Woman’s Place has a 24-hour hotline at 800-220-8116. Counselors answering the hotline provide information about domestic violence, give referrals for other organizations, provide support for victims of domestic violence as well as for friends and family members who call.
Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) has a toll-free, 24-hour hotline for victims of crime who are residents of Bucks County in the 215 and 610 area codes, at 1-800-675-6900. Professional staff and trained volunteers provide support to victims and their families helping them to deal with the initial trauma victimization may cause.
Chester County
LASP Chester County
Please call our West Chester office at 610-436-4510, 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.
Additional Chester County resources:
Victims in crisis should call the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County 24-hour hotline: 888-711-6270 or 610-431-1430
Delaware County
LASP Delaware County
Call our toll-free Protection from Abuse Helpline to speak with an attorney or paralegal: 1-855-879-3100 from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Callers can leave a message outside of these hours.
Additional Delaware County resources:
Victims in crisis should call the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County 24-hour hotline: 1-610-565-4590.
Montgomery County
LASP Montgomery County
Call our toll-free Protection from Abuse Helpline to speak with an attorney or paralegal: 1-855-980-6924 from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Callers can leave a message outside of these hours.
Additional Montgomery County resources:
Victims in crisis should call the Domestic Violence Support Services 24-hour toll-free hotline at the Domestic Violence Project of Women’s Center of Montgomery County: 1-800-773-2424. Women’s Center is particularly helpful if an Agreement is sought by “ProSe” (self-represented) plaintiffs/defendants.
180 W. Germantown Pike, Suite 2, East Norriton, PA 19401
Phone: 610-277-1860 | Hotline: 800-642-3150
Resources: Shelter, Counseling, Court Accompaniment and Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) on-site response to a domestic violence call, in conjunction with law enforcement and/or medical personnel. In non-emergency situations, callers can also use the phone number for our Hub office (located in East Norriton) which is: 610-277-1860. This number will provide connections to Counseling, Court Accompaniment; and, Civil Legal Representation.