PCADV at Work

PCADV works at the state and national level to eliminate the crime of domestic violence, to improve the lives of victims and to enhance the safety of communities through a broad range of strategies in the following areas:

Workplace and Domestic Violence

• developing and training on workplace protocols to help employers better understand the nature and scope of domestic violence, the impact it has on the business community and steps that can be taken to provide supportive intervention on their employees behalf.

Systems Response

• providing on-going training, advocacy and technical assistance to judges, prosecutors, probation and parole officers, batterers treatment providers, social service agencies, drug, alcohol and mental health services, health care practitioners, etc., to promote appropriate and effective response in their communications and interactions with domestic violence victims

Housing

• pursuing options and resources for emergency, transitional and permanent housing
• monitoring and crafting public policy to ensure access to safe and affordable housing for victims and their children

Homicide Prevention

• chronicling domestic violence related homicides in Pennsylvania
• establishing a statewide fatality review initiative to create, document and implement policies, practices and procedures designed to increase safety for victims and accountability for perpetrators

Public Awareness

• developing and disseminating informational materials to reinforce key messages about domestic violence and the availability of free, confidential services for victims, their children and other family members
• implementing outreach approaches to traditionally underserved populations, such as victims living in rural areas, elderly victims, victims with disabilities, immigrant and non-English-speaking victims, victims of same-sex violence, etc.

Public Policy

• drafting and advocating for passage of strong laws and regulations offering comprehensive protections for victims and accountability/sanctions for their abusers
• initiating efforts to assure swift implementation and uniform enforcement of laws

Economic Justice

• promoting public policy and collaborations to facilitate victims efforts to become self-sufficient and reestablish lives free of violence
• developing a network of attorney specialists skilled in representing victims of domestic violence in family law and other civil matters.

Children of Battered Parents

• pursuing public policy and legislative reform to protect the best interests of children and their abused parents in custody and child protective services matters
• building collaborations with allied agencies to create a network of support and safety for battered parents and their children