You Are Not Alone

Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence.
Most are women - they come from all backgrounds and neighborhoods.

Domestic Violence Can Be Any or All of the Following:

Physical Abuse:

Hitting, slapping, shoving, kicking, punching, burning, choking, not being allowed to leave home, the use of objects to cause injury (guns, knives, baseball bats, etc.)

Mental Abuse:

Threats, telling you what you can or cannot do, name calling, words that hurt.

Sexual Abuse:

Rape, unwanted touching, forcing an adult or child to do sexual acts against their will.

Property or Economic Abuse:

Stealing or destroying personal belongings, hurting pets, taking money, refusing someone's basic needs such as food and clothing.

You Can Get Help

Leaving a violent relationship isn't easy. Women may stay because of money, family pressures, concern for their children, fear of or feelings for their abusers. Whether you leave or stay, you can get free help and information from domestic violence programs.

No matter where you live, help is just a phone call away. For more information, call the domestic violence program in your area. To get the phone number:

1. look in your telephone book's blue pages under Abuse/ Assault
2. call directory assistance
3. ask someone you trust ( doctor, nurse, clergy, police, attorney, teacher, friend, co-worker)

Have A Plan

Before the Violence

• Make a safety plan. A domestic violence program can help.
• Make a list of important phone numbers (police, domestic violence program hotline, and hospital.)
• Have an emergency kit with money, food stamps, medical cards, checkbook, spare car keys, birth certificates and other I.D., pay stubs, medicine and children's toys. (Make sure you can get to it quickly.)
• List phone numbers of people who can offer shelter, rides, and money. Ask family, friends, and others for help.

During the Violence

• Call the police or have someone else call.
• Grab your emergency kit, if you can.
• GET OUT! Take your children with you.

After the Violence

• Get medical help and tell what happened.
• Have the doctor, nurse, or a friend take pictures; save any ripped or bloody clothes.
• Talk to someone about what you can do next.
• Call our 24-Hour Telephone Hotlines!

Emergency Protection Orders

After 4:30 p.m. and on weekends and holidays when the Chester County Courthouse is closed, a District Justice can issue an emergency Order of Protection, which is effective until the Courthouse re-opens.

You Can Take Legal Action

Domestic violence is a CRIME! Legal protections are available. You can file criminal charges against your abuser and/or ask the court to issue a Protection From Abuse order (PFA) to stop your abuser from hurting you and your children.

Note:You do not need a PFA to file criminal charges, and you do not need to file criminal charges to get a PFA.

A judge may grant a PFA order to:

• keep your abuser away from you and your family, your home, and where you work
• give you temporary custody of your children
• make your abuser pay support
• take away your abuser's weapons

When you need legal help, a domestic violence program worker can talk to you about your choices