1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Attorneys
Technical Assistance 1-888-235-3425 or 717-671-4767
The Legal Department's attorneys and trainers provide training and technical assistance to any attorney who is assisting a survivor of domestic violence. Topics can include the Pennsylvania Protection From Abuse (PFA) Act and procedures, PFA case law and updates, child custody, support, divorce, housing, appellate practice, safety and technology, state and federal firearms laws and cases, compliance with the Federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and domestic violence resources.
Attorney training and technical assistance is funded by a grant awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and the Office on Violence Against Women Legal Assistance to Victims. Our services are confidential.
Attorneys may call with any question related to representation or assistance to a victim of domestic violence. For legal resources, training or assistance, contact PCADV's Legal Department at 1-888-235-3425 or 717-671-4767. (This is not a victim helpline.)
Tools
The Pennsylvania PFA Act Annotated contains the full text of the Act, 23 Pa.C.S. sections 6101 - 6123, and appellate case law annotations within the applicable sections. The PFA Annotated also describes cases relevant to the PFA Act's relationship with other proceedings: custody, divorce, and dependency. Cases are also indexed by relevant section.
The Pennsylvania Protection From Abuse (PFA) Act PCADV, 2010, contains the full text of the Act, 23 Pa.C.S. sections 6101 - 6123.
PFA Act Annotated, Oct. 2017
1.3 Meg | 1/9/2018
Protection Orders for Sexual Violence and Intimidation
Visit our PSVI webpage
Call for questions about PSV or PFI orders in the PFA database (PFAD) - 888-235-3425
Bench Cards
Animal Abuse
2018
391.93 K | 10/22/2018Bail
2018
493.47 K | 10/22/2018Firearms
2018
643.61 K | 10/22/2018Lethality Factors
2018
502.26 K | 10/22/2018Protection From Abuse Act
2018
644.99 K | 10/22/2018PFA and PSVI Process Flowchart
2018
471.24 K | 10/22/2018Protection from Sexual Violence and Intimidation Act
2018
534.89 K | 10/22/2018Strangulation
2018
517.24 K | 10/22/2018VAWA Steps to Federal Certification
2018
491.2 K | 10/22/2018Addressing Discriminatory Housing Barriers For Victims of Domestic Violence: A Toolkit for Attorneys
This housing toolkit provides information, tips, and referrals for attorneys helping domestic violence survivors to:
- Establish grounds to challenge an actual or threatened eviction
- Obtain or prevent the loss of public housing or assistance
- Institute a federal or state action for damages on behalf of a client
View the Toolkit
2.63 Meg | 11/20/2015
HOUSING - 2-Part Webinar Series - 2013
Part 1: Addressing Discriminatory Evictions
Play Webinar Recording QuickTime .mov file (see Note) - 145 MB download
Slides Part 1
Eviction Flow-ChartPart 2: Understanding and Asserting Federal Housing Protections
Play Webinar Recording QuickTime .mov file (see Note) - 1 GB download
Slides Part 2Note: In order to play, these webinars require your computer to have a Quicktime plugin. Quicktime is a free download from Apple
Courtroom Evidence: A Resource for the Prosecution of Domestic Violence Cases
Designed in consultation with prosecutors from across Pennsylvania to address important evidentiary issues that are regularly encountered by prosecutors who specialize in domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking cases.
• Relevance of Prior Abuse
• Witness Competency
• Spousal Privilege
• Hearsay
• Confrontation
• Child Witness Statements
• Social Media Evidence
• Experts
• Special Evidentiary Concerns in Stalking CasesView online
1.69 Meg | 4/8/2018
Newsletters
The Jurist: e-News for Pennsylvania Judges
The Jurist is tailored to Pennsylvania's judges with latest case law and precidential decisions, research about domestic violence, national and local training opportunities, and helpful tools such as judicial bench cards and web resources. Published quarterly at no charge.
Subscribe
Read IssuesSTOP Technical Assistance Bulletins - News for Local STOP Teams
STOP Technical Assistance Bulletins contain information about the Protection From Abuse (PFA) Act, technology and safety advocacy, stalking, firearms, primary aggressor and related issues.PCADV provides training and technical assistance to STOP team members, including law enforcement, prosecutors, courts and victim services providers.
Read Bulletins
SubscribeTraining
Contact PCADV's Legal Department at 1-888-235-3425 or 717-671-4767 about customized training for your practice, law school or professional conference.
Recent training topics for Pennsylvania law audiences:
- Protection From Abuse (PFA) Act and Case Law
- Stalking and Technology - Evidence
- State and Federal Firearms Prohibitions
- Appellate Practice and Custody Appeals
- Advocating for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence
Tools From Our Allies
Representing Victims of Intimate Partner Violence Connected with the Military – A Handbook for Civil Attorneys by Ellen C. Schell, J.D. for the Battered Women’s Justice Project
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Error: linkLocal = 4, but newsLink is not a numeric spot. (newsLink = )Keep Up with our News and Events
For Victims
If you fear for your immediate safety, call 9-1-1 or your local police.
Contact the domestic violence program in your area for free and confidential help.
Other victim programs are available to help you and your family.
Any attorney helping a domestic violence victim may contact the PCADV legal department at 888-235-3425 for information on law and legal procedures. (This is not a helpline for victims.)
The information provided on this website is intended for informational purposes only. The information provided under this topic is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and is not a substitute for contacting an experienced attorney. Read our full legal disclaimer.
Client Brochures
The Pennsylvania Protection From Abuse Act: A Guide for Victims of Domestic Violence
Basic information and list of hotlines by county. Suitable for DV Programs, physicians and other helping professionals to make available to employees and clients. Formatted for desktop printing. Full color. Space available to stamp local domestic violence program contact information. PFA brochure available as free download.
Download this Brochure
230.72 K | 2/7/2017
Information for Completing the PFA Petition
Applying for a PFA Order can be a confusing and even scary process. This paper is meant to provide a victim of domestic violence who is asking the court for protection with guidance about how to complete a PFA petition.
Download this Brochure
133.01 K | 8/16/2013
Things to Know if You Want to Move With Your Children
Basic information about Pennsylvania’s child custody law for survivors who may be thinking about moving with children, whether it's across the street, down the block, to another county or state. Note: Getting advice from an attorney is necessary when thinking about moving so survivors can understand how the law will affect their plans.
Download printable version
Printable version
406.28 K | 3/12/2014
Bilingual Court Forms
Bilingual Protection From Abuse documents translated into the eleven most commonly encountered languages in the Pennsylvania court system
ARABIC
CHINESE
FRENCH
HAITIAN CREOLE
KHMER
KOREAN
POLISH
PORTUGUESE
RUSSIAN
SPANISH
VIETNAMESEBilingual Criminal Protective Order documents are translated into five languages for Pennsylvania courts: Chinese, Khmer, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese
Judicial Benchcard for Court Interpretation in Protection Order Hearings informs the court about what to expect from an interpreter and how the court can assist communication in interpreter proceedings