Crisis and Advocacy Services

Women’s Resource Center offers free and confidential services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, teen dating violence survivors and child witnesses of violence. WRC offers crisis intervention 24 hours a day over the phone and in person, safe house for survivors and their children fleeing abuse, legal assistance, support groups and advocacy on behalf of all survivors.  The goal of the crisis and advocacy program is to restore justice, autonomy, and safety to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

WRC offers these free and confidential services in Lackawanna and Susquehanna Counties. Survivors are eligible for services regardless of income, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, marital status, age, country of origin, and mental and physical ability.

Crisis Response and Support:

Survivors can access services 24 hours a day. Survivors work with Counselor Advocates who help them assess their immediate and long term needs and those of their children. Needs may be related to safety, health, money, food, housing, and legal issues. Advocates help survivors navigate their options and provide accompaniment for legal and medical appointments, police interviews and other appointments as requested.

Crisis and advocacy services are available to all survivors and their children, whether they are ready to leave their abusers or want to be safe in their own homes. Advocates help survivors plan for safety in terms of threats from their abusers.

Safe House:

WRC offers Safe Housing for domestic and sexual violence survivors and their children who are in immediate danger and are fleeing abuse. Safe House provides temporary, communal living while advocates work with survivors to plan for long term safety and independence.

Legal Advocacy:

WRC’s legal advocates provide advocacy and assistance to survivors involved in the court system for civil or criminal matters.  WRC legal advocates ensure that survivors have access to community and WRC resources which can assist them in their legal efforts, including pro-se remedies.  Advocates can provide advocacy with law enforcement, medical personnel, employers/schools for leaves of absence for court proceedings; coordinating immigration representation and preparation; accompaniment to legal proceedings and follow-up services; support during and after the legal process; court preparation activities; childcare and transportation planning; and, sharing reading material and information packets customized to the survivor’s legal action plan and language as needed. 

Women’s Meetings:

Women’s meetings help survivors break the silence about their abuse and connect with other women who have survived abuse. Abusers systematically isolate their victims, and survivors feel that nobody may know or understand how they feel. In support groups, individuals gather to receive and offer support, to share information and experiences, and to organize events and advocacy efforts. The meetings are open to adult and teen survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Support meetings are held in confidential locations for safety of the members. Please contact WRC for current location information.

Children’s meetings are offered in conjunction with some of the adult support meetings. Childcare is available for some of the meetings. 

Potluck Dinners:

Isolation is a significant experience for survivors of abuse and assault. Rural communities provide an additional burden of isolation. Informal potluck dinners are organized on a monthly basis in Susquehanna county to exchange good food and enjoy a program or speaker with family and friends. Contact WRC for further information.

Community Outreach:

Survivors who are safe and interested in sharing their experience to further community dialogue on violence against women are encouraged to speak to their Counselor Advocate. Speaking out about violence at community events, stakeholder meetings and vigils help the community understand the impact of violence on individuals, children and community members. For more on community activities, click here