2% - Women Against Abuse

“ it was with the help of the people at the Women Against Abuse shelter
and Sojourner House that [my children and i] were able to get back on
our feet! thank you for all you do! i use my story to help others see they
too can live a full and productive life after abuse!”
— survivor who has achieved safety and independence
Who We Serve
All numbers taken from July 1, 2009 –
June 30, 2010 unless otherwise noted.
Women against abuse served 12,534
individuals through emergency residential
services, hotline counseling, legal aid,
community education and advocacy.
client etHnicity
• african american ............... 51%
• asian ............................. 2%
• Caucasian ....................... 18%
• Hispanic/latina ................ 12%
• other .............................17%
Client Ethnicity
“ As most women that enter Women Against Abuse, i was a physical,
emotional and mental mess. but now, with the counseling of Women
Against Abuse and god on my side, i am an achiever. i am not just a
survivor of domestic violence, but a victor and an over-comer.”
— survivor who escaped an abusive relationship to further her education
Our Services
emeRgency sHelteR
Women against abuse operates the only emergency
shelter for abused women and their children in
philadelphia. this 100 bed facility provides survivors
with a comprehensive, on-site support system,
including adult and children’s case management,
child care and behavioral health services.
total Served .................................. 608
adults......................................... 48%
Children .......................................52%
emergency Shelter nights provided.......33,483
requests for shelter denied
due to lack of space..........................5,991
tRansitional Housing (sojouRneR House)
Sojourner House is the Women against abuse 18-24
month housing program for families made homeless
by domestic violence. the women and children
at Sojourner House are empowered to achieve
safety and independence through on-site supports
including case management, behavioral health
services and life-skills development workshops.
total Served ....................................94
adults..........................................28%
Children .......................................72%
Upon leaving Sojourner House, clients
transitioned to the following:
rental House or apartment ...................7%
Subsidized Housing...........................53%
Moved in with family or friends................7%
other form of transitional housing ............7%
Shelter ..........................................7%
unknown ......................................19%
Behavioral Health Services: 25% of residential
clients benefited from on-site behavioral health care,
including individual, family, and group therapy.
afteRcaRe seRvices
the aftercare Department was launched in 2008
in order to provide survivors with follow-up
support, once they exit the agency’s residential
programs. aftercare case managers assist clients
with relocating, maintaining independent housing,
budgeting and other essential skills.
total number of families served ...............77
legal seRvices
Women against abuse operates the nation’s first
legal center dedicated to the needs of domestic
violence survivors. the legal Center provides
free attorney representation, court advocacy and
telephone counseling. legal Center staff assist
survivors seeking protection from abuse orders,
as well as child custody and support.
Individuals who received
attorney representation .......................359
Individuals who received
court advocacy ..............................4,239
legal telephone counseling calls ...........1,078
PHiladelPHia domestic violence Hotline (PdvH)
Women against abuse is the lead operator of the
pDVH, providing approximately two-thirds of the
hotline coverage. the pDVH is a free 24-hour point
of access to crisis intervention, safety planning,
linkages to community resources and entry to the
emergency shelter.
total calls answered by pDVH .............8,813
Calls answered by
Women against abuse ..................... 1,767
community education and tRaining
the Women against abuse Community education
and training Department raises awareness to
domestic violence by facilitating workshops,
trainings and community activities centered on
understanding the dynamics of domestic violence,
health relationships, and the prevention of abusive
relationships. educators tailor trainings for teens,
social service providers, law enforcement and other
first responders.
Individuals who received education
and prevention services.................... 6,609
2 WAA A.R. 2010-2011 WAA A.R. 2010-2011 3