For Victims

Some partner violence agencies also have transitional living programs, where women and their children can live in an agency-owned apartment for an extended period of time.

During that time, they receive counseling and other kinds of assistance. To be accepted into a program, women are interviewed and must demonstrate need. Cost is usually on a sliding scale, dependent on a woman’s ability to pay.

Other services include support groups, vocational counseling and job training, outreach to high schools and the community, court advocacy, and mental health services or referrals. Many agencies have funding for practical matters such as locating temporary shelters and, if none are available, may be able to put women and their children up at a hotel for a few days. Some agencies, especially those outside of Allegheny County, provide services for sexual assault survivors as well. In Allegheny County, those services are provided by Pittsburgh Action Against Rape. General services for victims of violent crimes are provided in Allegheny County by the Center for Victims of Violent Crimes.

WARNING:
An abuser may try to track your internet activities!

Special attention needs to be taken when visiting web sites on the internet. Information you have brought up on the internet (including our web page) may be viewed by anyone who knows how to access your computer’s history or cache file.

In order to prevent this from happening, you should turn on private browsing and/or clear your browser’s history. This can be done by accessing your internet browser settings. Click here to find out how.

Please Note:
Clearing web browser histories in this way will delete ALL histories of visited websites. If you are concerned that someone may be checking up on your Internet usage, the absence of all files and history may appear suspicious. Instead of clearing your history every time you visit the webpage, you can use the instructions to turn on private browsing before you visit the webpage. Additionally, there are other software programs available that can track website visits.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

EAP services can be a good first step in accessing help if you are a partner violence (pv) victim or an abuser.

Healthy Relationships

Sometimes it is hard to know if the behavior of someone you love is abusive. Click on this link to find a checklist of aspects of healthy relationships and red-flag behaviors that may indicate your partner’s behavior is abusive.

RUSafe

RUSafe is a free interactive app for iOS and Android devices that assesses the potential for domestic violence and harm in a dangerous relationship.

DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID

DOWNLOAD FOR IOS

Finding Help

Are you in danger? Do you wonder if what you are experiencing in your relationship is abuse? Do you need help getting a Protection from Abuse order?

Partner violence agencies, sometimes known as “shelters,” are available to help you. Partner violence agencies offer many different services for people who are experiencing abuse—whether it is physical, sexual and/or emotional. All partner violence agencies in our area have a telephone hotline that answers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Most of the agencies provide shelter (temporary housing for victims and their children who are in immediate danger) and many other services as well. They provide counseling services for victims and children, legal advocacy for help in the court system, medical advocacy, economic empowerment counseling, and other needed services. Services are free of charge and are completely confidential. Assistance for men who are victims of partner violence is also available through these agencies.

Click here to find partner violence agencies and their contact information for counties in southwestern PA. You can call the program in your geographic area or in another area. If you qualify for emergency shelter but the agency you contact does not have space, they will help you find an agency that does have space for you.

If you live elsewhere and need assistance, call the National Domestic Violence hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or 1.800.787.3224 (TTY)