Local agency has been helping victims of abuse for 30 years
Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA (DVSSP) has been helping victims of abuse for 30 years.
The non-profit agency began as a safe haven for battered women in 1980 in Washington, Pa., as Washington Women’s Shelter. The agency continued to grow throughout the years and in 1993 Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) requested the agency open a satellite office in Greene County. In 2010, PCADV asked DVSSP to provide services in Fayette County. WWS then changed its name to Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA.
The vision of DVSSP is to be part of a community in which domestic and partner violence is eradicated for everyone, by everyone. The mission of DVSSP is to increase awareness of domestic violence and its effect on the community, to empower those victimized by providing advocacy and safe and effective services, and to work for social change designed to eliminate violence.
But what exactly does DVSSP do? The DVSSP satellite office in Greene, located on N. Morgan Street in Waynesburg, welcomes victims of abuse or family members to “drop in” any time during business hours. Staff and volunteers provide empowerment counseling, safety planning, and sometimes just a listening ear. Options are given; no one is told what to do. If needed, women and their children can be taken to one of two DVSSP’s safe shelters where they are further assisted toward violence-free lives. Victims can be assisted filing Protection From Abuse Orders (PFAs) with the court and accompaniment to hearings. Also, a 24-hour hotline is available for emergencies, or just to talk. The hotline number is 800-791-4000.
Since awareness is crucial, prevention/education programs are provided to churches, organizations and businesses. DVSSP participates in local fairs and events in order to offer information. DVSSP also offers programs about bullying/cyberbullying and dating violence to schools and youth programs.
For more information, call 724-852-2463.