In October, LASP recognizes our VOCA team's dedicated work with clients who've experienced domestic violence

(Oct. 7, 2022)

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.

From July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022, LASP obtained 562 PFA orders protecting 1,311 adults and children from domestic abuse.

LASP phone numbers to get help with domestic violence

  • Bucks County: 215-340-1818

  • Chester County: 610-436-4510 | Urgent: 484-803-2131

  • Delaware County Domestic Violence Helpline: 855-879-3100

  • Montgomery County Domestic Violence Helpline: 855-980-6924

Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in its fact sheet about Pennsylvania, notes that:

  • 37.1% of Pennsylvania women and 30.4% of Pennsylvania men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes.

  • 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the United States have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) states as part of its Lethality Assessment Program, "Domestic violence can sometimes turn lethal. In the last 10 years, more than 1,600 people died as a result of domestic violence in Pennsylvania. The majority of those tragic deaths were abused women, but the number also included men, children and law enforcement."

PCADV's statistics webpage notes that in 2021 in Pennsylvania, 112 people died in domestic violence incidents (72 females and 40 males), with 54% killed by a current or former intimate partner and 63% killed with a firearm. According to PCADV's 2021 Fatality Report, in LASP's service area, the toll included two people in Bucks County, seven in Chester County, two in Delaware County and three in Montgomery County.

To learn more about how LASP helps victims of domestic violence, please see lasp.org/domestic-violence.

CHESTER City - Kimberly Hollenback, LASP VOCA Supervising Attorney & Media Office Managing Attorney, attended the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County’s.Chester resource fair Oct. 22, 2022 at MLK Park near Crozer Library.

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA helps victims of domestic violence with Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders and other legal matters related to domestic violence in Delaware. Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties.

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