Legal Center

Program Summary

The Legal Center offers free legal advocacy and representation for survivors of all gender identities dealing with relationship violence-related legal matters, including:

  • Protection From Abuse (PFA)
  • Child Custody and Child Support
  • Legal Options Counseling
  • Safety Planning
  • Court Accompaniment

For free legal help from the Women Against Abuse Legal Center, call 215.686.7082.


Client Feedback

“I cannot express how truly grateful I am for the services I received from WAA.”

“Every staff member that I spoke to and met with were very patient and informative.”

“The staff at the facility made me feel safe and welcomed.”

These comments were provided by clients in anonymous satisfaction surveys.

Program Detail

Lack of understanding of the criminal and legal systems can become significant barriers to victims of domestic violence in establishing safety. Legal advocacy is often the deciding factor in whether a victim will successfully leave an abusive relationship.

In Philadelphia, 85% of individuals seeking civil protection from abuse (PFA) orders lack representation and must appear pro se despite their lack of familiarity with the judicial process. Consequently, the majority of pro se petitioners are unable to present the necessary evidence to establish eligibility for a PFA, even though the facts of their case entitle them to one. Women Against Abuse’s Legal Center fills such information gaps by working with victims to navigate the complexities of the legal system in order to obtain life-saving protections under law.

Clients often face multiple challenges, including victimization from domestic violence and/or stalking, homelessness, poverty, and unemployment. The Legal Center provides more than 6,000 individuals each year with free attorney representation, court advocacy or telephone counseling in seeking protection from abuse orders, child custody and support.

Attorney representation: Women Against Abuse provides free attorney representation to individuals seeking protection from abuse or child custody and support.

Court advocacy: Women Against Abuse court advocates provide direct legal assistance and safety planning to victims of domestic violence in court who may be unfamiliar with the Women Against Abuse Legal Center. Advocates help clients navigate the legal process, which can be cumbersome, abstruse and re-traumatizing for victims. Women Against Abuse court advocates are stationed in Philadelphia Family Court, where protection from abuse cases are heard, and in Philadelphia’s two criminal courtrooms dedicated to domestic violence cases.

Special initiatives: The Legal Center provides two special initiatives—the Telephone Outreach Program and the Fast-Track Attorney Program—to open access to legal interventions like never before for high-risk populations experiencing domestic violence.

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Catherine’s Story

When I first met my abuser, I was just 14 years old and he was 20. I thought I was in love, so I ignored the disapproval of my mom and sister.

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Beth Huffman's Story

When a survivor's child was in trouble, Beth Huffman helped organize a press conference to get the story out on behalf of Women Against Abuse's Legal Center.

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Mike's Story

Mike, a former police detective with the Philadelphia Police Department, has been working as the police liaison for Women Against Abuse, so that he can help survivors in ways he couldn’t as a detective.

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Candace's Story

When people consider domestic violence (DV), they often think of the adult victim/survivor. But what about the children who have seen or experienced the abuse; the boys, girls and young adults who have been afraid in their own home? Candace, who worked as a therapist at Women Against Abuse, witnessed her mother being abused for many years, is choosing to share her story to shine a light on this little told aspect of DV. These are her words.

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Jamie's Story

Jamie shared her story at the 2019 iPledge Campaign press conference.

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Allison’s Story

Allison* cringed at her reflection in the mirror as she gently dabbed concealer over the bruises circling her eye.

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Shakeda's Story

I was 5 years old when my mom got a new job as a manager at a local KFC. She met a gentleman there who was a suave, smooth kind of guy, rode a bike, didn’t care about authority, and was the opposite of my father. My mom fell hard for him.

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Doreen Davis’ Story

Doreen Davis is a longtime supporter of Women Against Abuse who has used her expertise in traditional labor law to assist WAA for over two decades.

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Khadijah's Story

It was young love, and it felt exciting. Looking back, there were red flags early on, but I didn’t see them at the time.

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La historia de Candace

Al pensar en la violencia doméstica, a menudo se piensa en una víctima/sobreviviente adulta. Pero ¿qué sucede con los niños, las niñas y las personas jóvenes adultas que han experimentado abuso o han sentido miedo en sus propios hogares? Candace, quien trabajó como terapeuta en Women Against Abuse, fue testigo de cómo abusaban a su madre durante años y elige contar su historia sobre este aspecto de la violencia doméstica del que poco se habla. A continuación, sus palabras.

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If you or someone you know needs help, call our toll-free 24-hour Hotline:

1.866.723.3014

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