Domestic Violence Safety and Housing

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. If someone is hurting you, scaring you or controlling you, please hear this: it is not your fault, and you deserve to be safe. There are people in Pennsylvania ready to help, any time, day or night.

Here is the easy first step: call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.7233, or text START to 88788. It's at no cost and private, and they can help you find a local program near you.

A few things to know

• You choose. You are the expert on your own safety. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise a bed, money or a spot in any program.
• Be careful with your phone and computer. If someone checks your devices, use a phone or computer they can't see, like at a library or a friend's house.
• In danger right now? Call 911. Thinking about suicide or in crisis? Call or text 988.

Who can I call right now?

You can call even if you're not sure it's "bad enough." Advocates listen, help you think through your choices, and never judge.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: call 800.799.7233, text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org. Deaf hotline by video phone: 855.812.1001.
• Your county's 24 hour line is in the county list later in this guide.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.thehotline.org/plan-for-safety/

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A quick exit

Many hotline websites have a quick exit button that takes you off the page fast. On a shared device, you can also use a private or incognito window. Little things like that can help you stay safe.

How do I know if it's abuse?

Abuse isn't only hitting. The National Domestic Violence Hotline says abuse is about power and control, and that even one or two of these behaviors is a red flag:

• Telling you that you never do anything right.
• Extreme jealousy, or keeping you away from friends and family.
• Insulting or shaming you, especially in front of others.
• Stopping you from making your own choices, like working or going to school.
• Taking your money or refusing money for things you need.
• Pressuring you into sex, drugs or alcohol.
• Threatening looks or actions, or threats to hurt or take your kids or pets.
• Scaring you with weapons, or destroying your things or your home.

If any of this sounds familiar, you can call an advocate just to talk. No one deserves abuse of any kind, for any reason.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/domestic-abuse-warning-signs/

How do I make a safety plan?

A safety plan is a simple, personal plan for staying safer, whether you stay, are thinking about leaving, or have already left. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers no cost help making one with a live advocate.

You don't have to have it all figured out to reach out. One call is enough for today, friend.

From the Bunklow team

Where can I stay if I need to leave?

Pennsylvania has domestic violence programs serving every county. The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) keeps a Find Your Local Domestic Violence Program directory, with each program's phone number, the counties it serves, and services like emergency safe houses and civil legal help.

• Shelter locations are kept private for safety. Call the program's 24 hour line to get in.
• If a program is full, ask them to help you find another safe place.
• The county list later in this guide has hotlines near you.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.pcadv.org/find-help/find-your-local-domestic-violence-program/

How do I get a protection order in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, a court order to keep someone away is called a Protection From Abuse order, or PFA. You can ask about one if you've been hurt or threatened by a family or household member, a current or past partner, or the other parent of your child.

As of October 17, 2026, PALawHelp shares these steps:

• Ask the court or your local domestic violence program about costs. Many people file without paying.
• You file in the Court of Common Pleas, Family Division, in your county. You can file on your own, with a lawyer, or with help from your local legal services office or domestic violence program.
• A judge may give a temporary order right away and set a final hearing soon after.
• When the court is closed, at night, on weekends or holidays, you can ask a Magisterial District Judge for an emergency order. In Philadelphia, a bail commissioner can give one. An emergency order lasts until the next business day.
• Questions about how long an order lasts? Check the official page below.
• If the person breaks the order, call the police.

This is general information, not legal advice. For help with your situation, talk with an advocate or a lawyer. See Guide 13 for no cost legal help.

Sources: https://www.palawhelp.org/resource/protection-from-abuse-7 and https://www.pfad.pa.gov/Documents/PFAAct.pdf

Can I keep my new address private?

Pennsylvania has an Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), run by the Office of Victim Advocate. It gives you a substitute mailing address to keep your real address out of public records.

• Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking can apply.
• You get an authorization card with your name, substitute address and participant number.
• Call 800.563.6399, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm, or apply online. Advocates at your local domestic violence program can help you apply.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.pa.gov/agencies/ova/address-confidentiality

What housing help is there if I'm a survivor?

If you live in HUD assisted housing, like public housing or a Housing Choice Voucher home, HUD has a page for survivors. Talk with your housing provider or an advocate about:

• Worries about losing your housing or help because of abuse against you.
• Problems on your record, like an eviction or bad credit, caused by the abuse.
• Asking for an emergency transfer for safety reasons.
• Keeping what you share private.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.hud.gov/vawa

Worried that calling the police could cause trouble with your housing? Talk with an advocate, and check the official page below.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?chpt=3&div=0&iFrame=true&sctn=4&subsctn=0&ttl=53&txtType=HTM

In Philadelphia, there's extra help for survivors who rent. Questions about moving out early, repairs or your lease after abuse? Check the PALawHelp page below, or call the Philadelphia Fair Housing Commission at 215.686.4670.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.palawhelp.org/resource/housing-rights-for-victims-of-domestic-and-sexual-violence-in-phiiladelphia-county?lang=EN

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Kids and pets, too

When you call a center, tell them about your kids and pets. Ask what support they have for children, and if they can help with a safe place for your pet. You're doing so great by asking.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Pennsylvania

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Philadelphia

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Allegheny County (Pittsburgh)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Montgomery County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Bucks County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Delaware County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lancaster County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Chester County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

York County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Berks County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lehigh County (Allentown)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Neighborhood and other counties

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My safety plan

Fill this in only if it's safe to keep. You can also just memorize it. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

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Please let me know if you have any questions

If something in this guide is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. You deserve to be safe and happy. Take care, friend.

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 17, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

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Last updated October 17, 2026