Victim Services

Call 717-846-5400 or 800-262-8444 (toll-free) for our Free and confidential 24-hour hotline.

What We Do

Empowering Survivors of Violence

YWCA York is York County’s sole provider of free and confidential comprehensive services to those impacted by violence.

YWCA York has expertise in working with victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other violent crimes. YWCA York recognizes that victims and survivors are the experts in their situation and are the only ones who can decide what is best for them and their families. YWCA York is honored to stand with victims and survivors as they find their voices again.
Do You Need Help?

More than

0 Million

people are physically abused by a partner everyday in America.

Every

0 seconds

an American is sexually assaulted.

You are not alone and you deserve support.

Our Approach

ACCESS York and the victim assistance center

YWCA York understands that trauma does not just impact the person to whom the trauma occurred, but often also has an impact on the family and friends of the individual. YWCA York uses a trauma-informed empowerment model to serve victims, survivors, and their significant others. All services are free and confidential.
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Services

Counseling

We offer free counseling services in York and Hanover to child, adolescent, and adult victims and survivors. All counselors are master's level clinicians with specialized training in the dynamics of trauma and experience in an array of treatment modalities – such as talk therapy, art therapy, play therapy, and mindfulness – for both individual and group counseling. YWCA York offers Trauma Sensitive Yoga to work in conjunction with traditional treatment modalities as well.

Set Appointment

Emergency Shelter

Our emergency shelter provides a safe place for victims and their dependent children fleeing imminent danger to access the support and advocacy services they need to take steps toward a violence-free future. Residents generally stay up to 30 days, and their needs for food and personal care items are provided for during their stay.

Anti-Human Trafficking Services

Our experienced staff provides referrals to local and out-of-county safe house programs; specialized case management; on-site and off-site counseling referrals including alternative therapeutic settings; addiction treatment services such as AOD Counseling and Celebrate Recovery Sessions Workshops focused on self-healing, growth, and life enrichment; legal advocacy; and assistance with education and/or job training.

Legal Services

Legal advocates help victims and survivors navigate through the various processes of the court system with services that include, but are not limited to, preparing and filing petitions for civil protection, safety planning, and accompaniment to interviews with law enforcement, criminal and civil protection hearings. Legal advocates can also provide referrals to our attorney, who provides civil legal advice and representation to victims and survivors at no cost.

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Medical Advocacy

Our medical advocates can accompany you to the hospital to provide you with support, options, safety planning, and resources during this difficult time.

Transitional Housing

Bridge is a one-year transitional housing program for victims who are homeless as a result of domestic violence. Residents live in individual apartments with their dependent children. Residents provide for their own necessities and living expenses, and pay program fees and securities at no more than 30% of their income. Residents work with a case manager and life skills advocate to develop goals and skills necessary for independent living and have access to support groups, counseling, and other resources they need to heal from their trauma.

We Are Proud To Stand With Survivors

Ensure Your Safety

Resources

Relationship Assessment

It can be very difficult to acknowledge that you, or someone you are close to, is experiencing relationship or family violence. Not sure if it's abuse? Take a few minutes to determine if you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship.

Assess Relationship

Safety Planning

Leaving an abusive relationship can be a very dangerous time. If you can, before leaving, call our hotline at 717-846-5400 or toll free at 1-800-262-8444 to develop a plan to help you and your family leave safely. Advocates will help you understand your options so that you can make the best possible choices for your safety. Advocates will never tell you what to do or make you feel like you have to do something you’re not ready for.

Start Planning

Addressing Violence As A Community

Task Forces

YWCA York recognizes that a unified and collaborative approach toward addressing interpersonal violence is the optimal way to manifest change. Each task force is made up of representatives of community members, social service agencies, law enforcement agencies, community mental health services, legislators, attorneys, medical providers, county offices, and more. YWCA York is proud to provide leadership to each of these task forces.
York County Human Trafficking Task Force Logo featuring a broken chain
York County Task Force on Domestic Violence logo featuring the outline of York County in a light purple with a darker purple ribbon overtop

Preventing Violence Through Education

Community Education

As recognized leaders in prevention and education, we provide virtual and in-person training on a wide array of topics, tailored to an equally wide array of audiences. Prevention and education presentations may be available FREE of charge.
See Classes

Our Work

Making an Impact

I was a client here at Access York many years ago. It was a very traumatic time in my life for me and my children.
I had no one to turn to and I felt so alone and isolated from the world. Access York gave me a way for me and my children to be safe and gave us the support we needed. My children and I were able to stay in the shelter for 30 days. During that time, I was able to get help getting a job and finding a place for me and my children to live.
I know without that help I don’t know if I would be here today. My life goal was to repay Access York for their loving support. I was thinking one day maybe I would hit the lottery and donate money to them. I wanted to give all the survivors the same open arms and hearts that I received from the staff. Fast forward years later, I have fulfilled my dream in a different way being able to donate supplies to Access York.
I am no longer a victim. I am a survivor.
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Everyone deserves to feel
Be a part of the change. Together, we can make a difference for the most vulnerable in our community and beyond.
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What to Do if You Have Been a Victim of Violence
  • Call 911 to reach the police right away if you are in immediate danger.
  • Call our FREE and CONFIDENTIAL hotline 24-hours a day and speak with an advocate. WE OCCASIONALLY EXPERIENCE SOME PHONE LINE ISSUES. If you cannot reach us at 717-846-5400, or toll-free at 800-262-8444, call 717-476-3671.
  • Seek medical attention to be examined and treated for injuries, to be protected against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, and to have forensic evidence collected.
  • You do not have to make a police report to get the forensic exam. Evidence can be collected anonymously and stored for up to two years. The Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) pays for the cost of the exam.
  • Emergency departments at local hospitals can call us to send an advocate to meet with you at the hospital to provide you with support, options, safety planning, and resources during this difficult time. There is no charge for this service.