Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County

Domestic Violence Services (DVS) is a catalyst to eliminate domestic violence in Lancaster County through direct service, advocacy, and social change. DVS is a member program of the PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), one of sixty (60) member programs across the state who provide comprehensive services to victims and survivors. 

DVS offers crisis intervention and safety planning via a 24/7 hotline and text line, a continuum of safe housing options from emergency shelter to transitional housing to assistance with permanent housing, empowerment counseling, children’s programming, and legal advocacy and representation. All services are free of charge and strictly confidential. DVS hosts professional trainings and community education programming for schools, businesses and community and faith-based organizations. 

Domestic Violence Crisis Services and Safe House

Our confidential and secure Safe House provides a temporary safe place for victims of domestic violence (and their children) who are forced to flee their home for safety reasons. Advocates are on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support, education, and counseling, and information and referral to community resources. Services provided during the stay help to stabilize the victim’s immediate crisis as well as support long-term goal planning.

Domestic Violence Legal Center

The Domestic Violence Legal Center (DVLC) strives to provide full access to the civil court system for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. DVLC Legal Advocates file Protection From Abuse orders and provide information and options counseling, as well as accompaniments to PFA court. DVLC staff attorneys provide consultations and representation in PFA and Sexual Violence Protection Order (SVPO) matters as well as emergency child custody, divorce, and support issues related to domestic violence. Victims of sexual assault may be represented in court actions and in Title IX proceedings on college and university campuses, thanks to a partnership with the YWCA of Lancaster’s Sexual Assault, Prevention and Counseling Center (SAPCC). 

DVS Housing

DVS offers housing advocacy and a continuum of safe housing options for survivors of domestic violence and their families.

• Safe House or emergency shelter
• Bridge House – ten 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments. The length of stay is flexible. Bridge House supportive services include safety planning, trauma-informed, strengths-based case management, peer counseling, support groups, and Children’s programming.
• Scattered site transitional housing with access to the same supportive services.
• Connection for eligible clients to Rapid Rehousing services and other avenues to permanent housing within the community.

Individual and Group Counseling

Domestic violence counselor/advocates work with survivors to develop safety plans, help them to understand the impact of domestic violence on their lives, establish short and long-term goals, and promote personal growth. Support groups provide participants with an opportunity to recognize that they are not alone, learn more about trauma and domestic violence, and engage in a growth process with others. Counseling services are available to both resident and non-resident survivors. 

Community Outreach, Education and Training

DVS collaborates with schools, after-school programs, faith-based and community organizations, and youth-serving agencies to offer education about healthy relationships and dating violence. Programming includes sessions for children, teens, college students and adults.