If you have experienced sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, you are not alone.
Telehealth services are available through several sources, including Health and Counseling Services and possibly your health insurance plan. If you would like assistance getting connected to telehealth services, you may contact Health and Counseling Services or your insurance plan.
Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) is the only organization in Allegheny County devoted solely to the issue of sexual violence. PAAR provides comprehensives services for victims and offers prevention programs to end sexual violence in our community. They are located in the Southside neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
Visit PAAR’s website to learn more about PAAR, the services they provide, and upcoming events. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @paarnews for updates as they happen and to interact with them and their community of supporters.
24-Hour Hotline: +1 (412) 867-8005
24-Hour Text Support: +1 (412) 744-8445
Women’s Center & Shelter has been a trusted and respected resource in the Pittsburgh Community for more than 45 years, offering hope and healing to survivors and children who have suffered from the devastating effects of domestic abuse. WC&S supports survivors who have experienced all types of abuse. It provides a 24-hour hotline and specialized care and support for survivors who have experienced all types of intimate partner violence. They have an emergency shelter, legal advocacy services, support groups, outreach programs for LGBTQ+ individuals, support services for immigrants and refugees, educational programs, and men’s groups.
24-Hour Hotline: +1 (866) 644-2882
Center for Victims offers services for individuals who experience sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and other crimes. Services include counseling, legal support, medical advocacy, emergency shelter, assistance obtaining protection orders and safety planning.
Hotline: +1 (800) 400-8551
TTY Access: +1 (724) 776-6739
Phone: +1 (724) 283-8700
Email: voice@voiceforvictims.com
Voice provides confidential services at no cost to individuals and families who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes. VOICe works within Butler County, PA to bring about social change and provide survivors with the ability to take control of their lives.
Phone: +1 (888) 832-2272
Blackburn Center provides services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and sexual harassment, and hate crimes in Westmoreland County. Services include a hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, support groups, medical advocacy, and legal system support. 1976, Blackburn Center has been providing services to victims of domestic and sexual violence
Phone: +1 (412) 441-9786
Email: info@persadcenter.org
Persad Center is dedicated to improving the well-being of the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning) communities and the HIV/AIDS communities in Western Pennsylvania. Through a variety of outreach, prevention, counseling, advocacy, and training services, we work to resolve problems faced by the LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS communities. We are here for you, no matter what you’re going through. Please call us to learn more about counseling and support.
Phone: +1 (412) 879-0477
Email: info@gardenofpeaceproject.org
Garden of Peace Project is based in Pittsburgh, PA and was founded in 2012 by Rev. Michael David Battle to center black queer and trans youth, elevate and empower the narratives and lived experiences of black youth and their caretakers, and guide revolutionary spaces of healing and truth through art, education, and mentorship. The Healing Justice Advocacy Project centers healing, justice, and advocacy. We are led by individuals who sit at the intersections of identities, experiences, and beliefs. We are a community of black and native parents, women, queer and trans healers, artists, and young people committed to revolutionary changes for our Selves and each other.
Filing a Protection from Abuse Order
You may be able to obtain immediate, court-mandated protection through a civil Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order, regardless of whether criminal charges are filed against your abuser.
The PFA order can do any or all of the following:
You can obtain a PFA Order at:
440 Ross Street
Room 3030
Hours: Monday through Friday – between 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
The process may take several hours, so we recommend showing up as early as possible.
When you are ready to file a PFA, make sure you have the following documents with you:
Once you complete a PFA petition, you will need to appear at a court hearing before the judge. The abuser and subject of the PFA may or may not be present at this hearing. If you have young children that need supervision, the Family Court will provide a free and secure children’s playroom on site.
If you are facing financial or other limitations, you can also file for a Temporary PFA without the payment of any fees. Our Legal Advocates can provide you with information regarding the availability of free legal representation, if necessary.
All Family Court proceedings take place at the Allegheny County Family & Juvenile Court, located at 440 Ross Street, Room 3030 in Downtown Pittsburgh.
The Court’s PFA Unit staff and domestic violence program advocates will also be available to assist and support you in filing a PFA petition. If you are unable to safely wait for a hearing in Family Court on a weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., Emergency PFA Orders are available.
You can obtain one at either:
If the PFA is violated:
Question: What options do I have if I choose to go to the hospital?
Answer: You have the option to receive immediate attention and care including checking for injuries. You could also choose to complete a sexual assault exam for the collection of evidence. You have the option to report to the police – You can receive care and complete the evidence collection whether you report to police or not.
Medical personnel might ask a few questions in order to provide the best possible care. It is important to mention any pain, injuries, or other concerns you might have. You have the right to choose what care you receive and the right to refuse care, including the sexual assault exam, when you go to the hospital.
Question: What is a ‘rape kit’?
Answer: A sexual assault exam (sometimes called the “kit”) is a medical exam and collection of forensic evidence. It attempts to collect evidence to use in the prosecution of a sexual assault. You can complete the exam/have evidence collected without reporting the incident to police.
The sooner you get to the hospital after an assault, the more options are available to you. It is recommended that you go to the hospital within 7 days of the incident. Try not to bathe, shower, brush your teeth, or go to the bathroom. This is important for preserving evidence. If you already have, it is still possible to collect evidence.
If possible, do not change your clothes. If you already have, put your clothes in a clean paper bag and bring them with you to the hospital.
PA ACT 27 was enacted in 2015 and requires a comprehensive and precise process for the testing of evidence and notification of victims and qualifies PA for federal funding to test backlogged or untested forensic exam kits. Includes:
For more information: Go to Pennsylvania General Assembly’s website and type “2015HB272” in the search box.
For more information about crime victims rights in PA: Office of Victim Advocate
Warning Signs that someone you know may have experienced sexual assault:
Additional information from Rainn
As friends and family members, you can help someone who has experienced harm. Try to remember:
Listen and be supportive. Provide comfort and support through listening without judgment and without asking ‘why’ questions. Even when you don’t understand or agree with how they are handling the situation, don’t judge. Your support can help reassure them and validate their feelings and reactions. You can do this by:
If you are concerned you may have harmed someone, support is available.
To request a routine appointment, include your information for a return call:
If you are in crisis and need urgent attention:
Telehealth services are available through several sources, including Health and Counseling Services and possibly your health insurance plan. If you would like assistance getting connected to telehealth services, you may contact Health and Counseling Services or your insurance plan.
Phone: +1 (412) 687-8017 x340
If you think you are abusing your partner or may possess abusive tendencies, the MENS Group is here to help. As part of Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, one of the nation’s first women’s shelters, the MENS Group offers counseling and support to help men understand their situation and gain control of their feelings.
Phone: +1 (412) 441-9786
Email: BIP@persadcenter.org
Persad Center, Inc. is the nation’s second oldest licensed mental health center specifically created to serve the LGBTQ+ community. Domestic violence occurs in about 1 out of 4 relationships. Same-sex couples experience the same rate of violence in their relationships. Persad Center’s Battering Intervention Program seeks to help individuals who are involved in these relationships to end the violence. Persad Center helps individuals to examine the negative patterns in their relationships, how to spot the triggers for violence, and teaches skills to stop the cycles of abuse. Participants in our program are taught to recognize and communicate their thoughts and feelings more effectively. This program will help you to fulfill your requirements for the court as well.
If you have been arrested during a same-sex domestic violence incident, we can help. Persad offers a program that helps you to examine your violent reactions, your triggers and feelings, and helps you to learn new behaviors.
Information on false accusations: Read The Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness article