Support, healing, and safety for survivors of abuse
Domestic violence happens in all types of families without regard to race, class, ethnicity, profession or religion. It’s more than just physical violence; it is a pattern of abusive behavior that includes violence, intimidation, and threats, all aimed at gaining control over another person. This abuse can take various forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse. Abusive partners often use threats, isolation, and other tactics to maintain control over their victims. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 85 percent of victims of domestic violence are women.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or the aftermath of trauma, Penn Medicine is here to help.
At Penn Medicine, we are dedicated to empowering women to recover from trauma and violence, including domestic violence, and equipping them with the tools and resources they need to stay safe moving forward. From trauma treatment programs to self-defense classes, below you’ll find a variety of comprehensive resources aimed at helping women achieve resilience, healing, and confidence.
We believe prevention and awareness are key to reducing all kinds of violence, including domestic violence. Through partnerships with local law enforcement and community organizations, we work to educate the public and expand access to resources.
Penn Trauma Violence Recovery program
This hospital-based violence intervention program supports victims of violence, regardless of its source. Whether you’ve experienced domestic violence, community violence, or another form of trauma, our multidisciplinary team provides medical, emotional, and social support to help you heal. Services include counseling, case management, and connections to community resources.
Visit the Penn Trauma Violence Recovery program website for more information.
Location specific resources
Our Lancaster, PA and Princeton, NJ locations offer specific services for women who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or trauma.
Trauma treatment for women
Designed for women who have experienced trauma from any source, Penn Medicine Princeton Health’s Women’s Trauma Program offers specialized care tailored to individual women’s needs. Through evidence-based therapies and compassionate support, women can process their experiences, regain control, and move forward with renewed strength.
To learn more about the program, contact 888-437-1610.
Professional help at Princeton House
For those who need additional support, programs like Princeton House Behavioral Health offer resources for ongoing mental health care, including counseling and therapy tailored to survivors of violence and trauma.
RAD self-defense classes
Self-defense is about more than physical techniques; it’s about building confidence, awareness, and the ability to make empowered decisions. The nationally recognized Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) program, offered through Penn Medicine Princeton Health, teaches women realistic self-defense tactics in a supportive and encouraging environment, including:
- Risk awareness and reduction: Classes focus on recognizing risks and avoiding dangerous situations, as well as tips for staying safe while driving, in elevators, or in public spaces like ATMs and parking lots.
- Physical techniques: Participants learn and have the ability to practice effective moves for protection in a safe setting.
- Simulated scenarios: Participants can practice their skills in realistic scenarios with trained instructors.
Since its inception at Princeton Health, more than 1,100 women have completed this transformative program. Classes are open to women of all fitness levels and backgrounds and require no prior experience.
Sexual assault and domestic violence support
If you or an adult loved one is the victim of a sexual assault, please come to the Emergency Department located at 555 N. Duke Street or go to a safe location and call the police or the YWCA Sexual Assault Hotline at 717-392-7273 as soon as possible.
Lancaster County Children’s Alliance
The Lancaster County Children’s Alliance (LCA) provides children who are victims of sexual abuse and their families with comprehensive services within a safe, child-friendly environment. As a child advocacy center, the LCA brings together various members of child protection, law enforcement, prosecution, victim advocacy, medical and mental health communities to assist the children. For more information, call 717-544-1929.
Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and need immediate support, call Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster at 717-299-1249.