Our Programs
Victim Services
Delaware County Victim Assistance Center offers comprehensive direct services to victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes in Delaware County. All direct victim services are free and confidential.
24 Hour Hotline
Our 24 hour hotline provides access to Victim Advocates with specialized training in crisis intervention and counseling of sexual assault victims. Callers may request information, accompaniment, or counseling, either at the time of the assault or any time afterward – even years later. All services are strictly confidential.
The hotline is also available to police officers, hospital personnel, and others who may call for information, assistance, or referrals.
Accompaniment Services
Delaware County Victim Assistance Center Victim Advocates are available 24 hours a day to provide accompaniment.
-
At the Hospital
Victim Advocates will accompany a victim to any Delaware County hospital during a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SANE).
-
At the Police Station
Victim Advocates will accompany the victim to the police station to report a rape, other sexual assault, or other serious crime, and may be present during the police investigative interview.
-
At the Criminal Court
If an offender is arrested, a Victim Advocate will accompany the victim to all court proceedings, including the preliminary hearing, pre-trial interviews with prosecuting attorneys, the criminal trial, and sentencing.
Counseling Services
Most victims of rape, sexual assault, and other serious crimes find that talking with trained counselors helps to heal their emotional pain. Delaware County Victim Assistance Center offers counseling to victims, their families, and significant others. All counseling services are confidential and free of charge. In-person, phone, and virtual appointments are available.
-
Therapy
Therapy is an in-depth intervention provided to victims of sexual violence or other serious crimes in response to the longer-term effects of the trauma. It is provided by licensed Master’s level clinicians.
-
Supportive Counseling
Support and problem-solving crisis counseling through the agency's 24-hour hotline is available to victims of crime and to their significant others regardless of when the trauma occurred. Delaware County Victim Assistance Center provides longer term counseling services for those affected by rape, sexual assault, and other serious crimes.
-
Group Counseling
Delaware County Victim Assistance Center has support groups for those affected by rape, sexual assault, and other serious crimes. Groups are typically offered as 8-week closed sessions each fall and spring. Additional groups may be offered at other times throughout the year based on interest and need.
Assistance With Crime Victims Compensation
Delaware County Victim Assistance Center can help victims file these claims to the state. Victims and significant others may be eligible to receive financial assistance from the PA Victims Compensation Assistance Program for a variety of expenses, such as medical and counseling expenses, loss of earnings, loss of support, stolen cash, relocation, funeral, or crime scene cleanup.
Crime Victims Law Project
Staff attorneys at Delaware County Victim Assistance Center provide free civil legal services to victims of sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and other serious crimes.
If eligible, attorneys can offer legal representation to victims of crime in:
- Actions to obtain Protection Orders (Protection from Abuse, Sexual Violence Protection Order, Intimidation Order)
- Divorce, Custody, Support, or Visitation Matters
- Landlord-Tenant Issues
- School-based Sexual Assault (Title IX), Stalking or Harassment
- Credit Matters
Prevention Education Services
Delaware County Victim Assistance Center is proud to offer a range of prevention and education awareness programs that are developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed. Our programs are updated on a continuing basis, in accordance with PA state and national standards. Driven by social-emotional learning research, each program is designed to create safe and inclusive spaces in a multicultural environment.
We offer interactive programs for pre-K to 12 schools, colleges and universities, community organizations, and allied professionals with the aim of increasing consciousness of important cultural issues.
We also partner with colleges and universities, community organizations, and allied professionals to provide specialized programs based on their needs.
Prevention Education Venues:
Delaware County Intermediate Unit
Chester Community Charter School
Chichester School District
Garnet Valley School District
Haverford School District
Interboro School District
Marple Newtown School District
Penn Delco School District
Holy Child Academy
Sacred Heart Academy
Radnor School District
Ridley School District
Rose Tree Media School District
Southeast Delco School District
Springfield School District
Upper Darby School District
Wallingford Swarthmore School District
William Penn School District
Delaware County Community College
Swarthmore College
Villanova University
Widener University
Neumann University
Haverford College
- Our pre-K through second grade programs focus on recognizing and understanding emotions and how to respond to them in a healthy way, which includes involvement and support from trusted adults.
- Our third through fifth grade programs focus on building empathy and coping skills through self-reflection exercises.
- Our middle school programs aim to prevent sexual harassment and violence by building an understanding of healthy relationship behaviors, including boundaries and consent.
- Our high school programs focus on examining and interpreting the current cultural climate around sexual violence by encouraging critical thinking.
Remember, it is not your fault
Join our newsletter
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact