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Contact us for free, confidential support at any time, 365 days a year. We are always here for you.
A safer Philadelphia, for better tomorrows.
For 50 years, WOAR – Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence has provided an empathetic ear, a caring heart and a helping hand to anyone who has experienced sexual violence recently, or at any time in their life. Each year, we helped thousands of survivors of sexual violence in Philadelphia through our hotline and in-person support and advocacy.
WOAR is here for survivors of sexual harassment, abuse, and assault because generous donors, like you, made it possible. Generosity gives everyone the power to make a positive change in the lives of others. WOAR is here because you make it possible!
Please stand with us by making a donation to WOAR.
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“When I was put in a fight or flight situation, I did neither. I froze. And I want to make it clear to other survivors that froze, you made it out alive. Your body protected you the best it could. You did everything right, and now you are a survivor. A SURVIVOR. Also, survivors of this kind of trauma should always remember it is never your fault. You did not choose this – no matter what people say or don’t say.”
Isabella, Survivor and Volunteer
Good neighbors are the keystone to safe societies and if we didn’t watch out for each other, we wouldn’t have the sense of community that we have in Philly. To prevent sexual violence, we need to be alert to violence because it can happen anywhere. Good neighbors can act when they see or hear sexual violence, step in and draw attention away from the person who is experiencing sexual violence, get help and check in with the neighbor that experienced sexual violence. Please share a positive story about helping your neighbor in the comments.
Good neighbors are the keystone to safe societies and if we didn’t watch out for each other, we wouldn’t have the sense of community that we have in Philly. To prevent sexual violence, we need to be alert to violence because it can happen anywhere. Good neighbors can act when they see or hear sexual violence, step in and draw attention away from the person who is experiencing sexual violence, get help and check in with the neighbor that experienced sexual violence. Please share a positive story about helping your neighbor in the comments.
It`s Mental Health Awareness Month. Take some time to learn why having a positive mindset is good for your overall health.
Why is positive thinking important? Positive thinking is important because it can have a beneficial impact on both physical and mental well-being. People who maintain a more positive outlook on life cope better with stress, have better immunity, and have a lower risk of premature death.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, please call 215-985-4444 for help.
It`s Mental Health Awareness Month. Take some time to learn why having a positive mindset is good for your overall health.
Why is positive thinking important? Positive thinking is important because it can have a beneficial impact on both physical and mental well-being. People who maintain a more positive outlook on life cope better with stress, have better immunity, and have a lower risk of premature death.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, please call 215-985-4444 for help.
Age-appropriate education can help students learn that the words “gay,” “lesbian,” and “transgender” are adjectives that should be used with respect instead of words used to hurt or insult others.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, you are not alone. WOAR can help. Please call our 24/7 Hotline at 215-985-3333.
Learn more: https://www.glsen.org/activity/inclusive-curriculum-guide
Age-appropriate education can help students learn that the words “gay,” “lesbian,” and “transgender” are adjectives that should be used with respect instead of words used to hurt or insult others.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, you are not alone. WOAR can help. Please call our 24/7 Hotline at 215-985-3333.
Learn more: https://www.glsen.org/activity/inclusive-curriculum-guide
JOIN US TONIGHT! WOAR partnered with Locam Productions (the students of Villanova`s year-long social justice documentary class) to present a screening of the Empower U documentary tonight in the Connelly Center on the bottom floor at Villanova University 800 E. Lancaster Ava, Villanova, PA 19085
Empower U is a short documentary film that explores the cultural factors that perpetuate sexual violence on college campuses. The documentary features interviews with sexual violence survivors, student advocates, and community leaders who are fighting for institutional and social change. This film demonstrates the empowerment these survivors found when creating the safe spaces, they know are vital. Check out the trailer here: https://tinyurl.com/EmpowerUDoc
Empower U spotlights advocates who are working to change cultures surrounding sexual violence on college campuses and features our Senior Manager of Advocacy, LaQuisha Anthony, and our Survivor Advocate Program. Learn more at: tinyurl.com/SurvivorAdvocateProgram
JOIN US TONIGHT! WOAR partnered with Locam Productions (the students of Villanova`s year-long social justice documentary class) to present a screening of the Empower U documentary tonight in the Connelly Center on the bottom floor at Villanova University 800 E. Lancaster Ava, Villanova, PA 19085
Empower U is a short documentary film that explores the cultural factors that perpetuate sexual violence on college campuses. The documentary features interviews with sexual violence survivors, student advocates, and community leaders who are fighting for institutional and social change. This film demonstrates the empowerment these survivors found when creating the safe spaces, they know are vital. Check out the trailer here: https://tinyurl.com/EmpowerUDoc
Empower U spotlights advocates who are working to change cultures surrounding sexual violence on college campuses and features our Senior Manager of Advocacy, LaQuisha Anthony, and our Survivor Advocate Program. Learn more at: tinyurl.com/SurvivorAdvocateProgram
Attention all caretakers, parents, guardians, and teachers! WOAR provides FREE parenting workshops to learn how to prevent child sexual abuse. Take the essential first step in ensuring a safe environment for the children you cherish. Don`t let this opportunity slip away! Call 215-985-3315 or email Chelsea@WOAR.org or Kiara@WOAR.org to sign up.
Attention all caretakers, parents, guardians, and teachers! WOAR provides FREE parenting workshops to learn how to prevent child sexual abuse. Take the essential first step in ensuring a safe environment for the children you cherish. Don`t let this opportunity slip away! Call 215-985-3315 or email Chelsea@WOAR.org or Kiara@WOAR.org to sign up.
From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU to all the survivors and supporters who came to WOAR`s SAAM events in April. We appreciate you! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU to all the survivors and supporters who came to WOAR`s SAAM events in April. We appreciate you! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Join our dynamic team as our new executive director!
We are actively seeking an experienced and motivated individual with excellent interpersonal skills to lead our organization to new heights. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be the opportunity you`ve been waiting for. Don`t miss your chance to make a significant impact - apply today!
Read the message from Board President Joanne R. Strauss here: http://tinyurl.com/ExecDirSearch
To access the job description for WOAR’s next Executive Director, please follow this link:
https://www.woar.org/join-our-team/
Join our dynamic team as our new executive director!
We are actively seeking an experienced and motivated individual with excellent interpersonal skills to lead our organization to new heights. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be the opportunity you`ve been waiting for. Don`t miss your chance to make a significant impact - apply today!
Read the message from Board President Joanne R. Strauss here: http://tinyurl.com/ExecDirSearch
To access the job description for WOAR’s next Executive Director, please follow this link:
https://www.woar.org/join-our-team/
What is Your One Takeaway from SAAM 2024? Closeout SAAM by sharing something everyone can do to promote health equity and community connectedness in the coming year. Find a way to demonstrate, illustrate, or share this message in writing.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence. We are here for you and we can help. Call or text WOAR at 215-985-3333.
What is Your One Takeaway from SAAM 2024? Closeout SAAM by sharing something everyone can do to promote health equity and community connectedness in the coming year. Find a way to demonstrate, illustrate, or share this message in writing.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence. We are here for you and we can help. Call or text WOAR at 215-985-3333.
Survivors March 2024 ~ Thank you everyone who showed up!
Join us at an inspiring event -- the Philadelphia Survivor March on April 27th from 10:30-2:00. Join us at Love Park and march towards Independence Liberty Center, uniting in solidarity with survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and human trafficking. Register now and make your voice heard!
Register now: https://tinyurl.com/SurvivorMarch2024
Starting at 10:30am in Love Park (16th St & JFK Blvd), we will march together towards Independence Liberty Center, symbolizing our journey towards justice, healing, and empowerment.
Register now: https://tinyurl.com/SurvivorMarch2024
As the march concludes at Independence Liberty Center (6th & Market), join us for performances and speeches that celebrate the strength and resilience of survivors. In addition to the speeches, there will be activities for families, providing a space for connection and healing. We will honor their journey and reaffirm our commitment to creating a world free from violence and exploitation.
Join us at an inspiring event -- the Philadelphia Survivor March on April 27th from 10:30-2:00. Join us at Love Park and march towards Independence Liberty Center, uniting in solidarity with survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and human trafficking. Register now and make your voice heard!
Register now: https://tinyurl.com/SurvivorMarch2024
Starting at 10:30am in Love Park (16th St & JFK Blvd), we will march together towards Independence Liberty Center, symbolizing our journey towards justice, healing, and empowerment.
Register now: https://tinyurl.com/SurvivorMarch2024
As the march concludes at Independence Liberty Center (6th & Market), join us for performances and speeches that celebrate the strength and resilience of survivors. In addition to the speeches, there will be activities for families, providing a space for connection and healing. We will honor their journey and reaffirm our commitment to creating a world free from violence and exploitation.
Statement on New York Appeals Court Overturning Harvey Weinstein`s Rape Conviction
We are disheartened on behalf of all survivors. When convictions are overturned regardless of the reason, it is a reminder that the traditional paths to justice through the legal system are often very hard to come by for survivors of sexual assault. The possibility that survivors will have to testify again to the harm they experienced is very discouraging. The decision sets a concerning legal precedent. Overturning such a high-profile case could potentially weaken efforts to hold powerful individuals accountable for their actions and may discourage future victims from seeking justice through the legal system.
This decision also highlights the need for ongoing scrutiny and reform of our legal system to ensure that it adequately serves survivors of sexual violence and holds perpetrators accountable. In a country where 975 out of 1,000 sexual assault perpetrators walk free, we must do a better job at reevaluating our current system and how it handles sexual violence cases on the criminal level.
It further underscores the ongoing need for advocacy and activism to address systemic issues related to sexual harassment, assault, and abuse. We must continue working towards a society where survivors are believed, and supported, and where justice is consistently served.
At times of unprecedented outcomes of this nature, it is important to express solidarity and support for survivors of sexual assault. Their courage in coming forward and seeking justice should be recognized and respected, regardless of legal outcomes.
WOAR stands with the survivors who have bravely told their stories many times in both New York and Los Angeles over the last several years, and we want to recognize that those survivors who shared their stories have already had a profound positive impact by using their voice to reach others who have suffered and inspiring countless people to do what they can to prevent sexual violence from happening. There is power in voices and even more power in collective voices... Read more at https://tinyurl.com/HarveyRapeConviction
Statement on New York Appeals Court Overturning Harvey Weinstein`s Rape Conviction
We are disheartened on behalf of all survivors. When convictions are overturned regardless of the reason, it is a reminder that the traditional paths to justice through the legal system are often very hard to come by for survivors of sexual assault. The possibility that survivors will have to testify again to the harm they experienced is very discouraging. The decision sets a concerning legal precedent. Overturning such a high-profile case could potentially weaken efforts to hold powerful individuals accountable for their actions and may discourage future victims from seeking justice through the legal system.
This decision also highlights the need for ongoing scrutiny and reform of our legal system to ensure that it adequately serves survivors of sexual violence and holds perpetrators accountable. In a country where 975 out of 1,000 sexual assault perpetrators walk free, we must do a better job at reevaluating our current system and how it handles sexual violence cases on the criminal level.
It further underscores the ongoing need for advocacy and activism to address systemic issues related to sexual harassment, assault, and abuse. We must continue working towards a society where survivors are believed, and supported, and where justice is consistently served.
At times of unprecedented outcomes of this nature, it is important to express solidarity and support for survivors of sexual assault. Their courage in coming forward and seeking justice should be recognized and respected, regardless of legal outcomes.
WOAR stands with the survivors who have bravely told their stories many times in both New York and Los Angeles over the last several years, and we want to recognize that those survivors who shared their stories have already had a profound positive impact by using their voice to reach others who have suffered and inspiring countless people to do what they can to prevent sexual violence from happening. There is power in voices and even more power in collective voices... Read more at https://tinyurl.com/HarveyRapeConviction
Experience the uplifting energy of the Philadelphia Survivor March on Saturday, April 27th from 10:30-2:00. From Love Park to Independence Liberty Center, let`s march together in support of survivors, amplifying their voices and demanding change. Register today to be part of this empowering event!
Register now: https://tinyurl.com/SurvivorMarch2024
Starting at 10:30am in Love Park (16th St & JFK Blvd), we will march together towards Independence Liberty Center, symbolizing our journey towards justice, healing, and empowerment.
Register now: https://tinyurl.com/SurvivorMarch2024
As the march concludes at Independence Liberty Center (6th & Market), join us for performances and speeches that celebrate the strength and resilience of survivors. In addition to the speeches, there will be activities for families, providing a space for connection and healing. We will honor their journey and reaffirm our commitment to creating a world free from violence and exploitation.
Experience the uplifting energy of the Philadelphia Survivor March on Saturday, April 27th from 10:30-2:00. From Love Park to Independence Liberty Center, let`s march together in support of survivors, amplifying their voices and demanding change. Register today to be part of this empowering event!
Register now: https://tinyurl.com/SurvivorMarch2024
Starting at 10:30am in Love Park (16th St & JFK Blvd), we will march together towards Independence Liberty Center, symbolizing our journey towards justice, healing, and empowerment.
Register now: https://tinyurl.com/SurvivorMarch2024
As the march concludes at Independence Liberty Center (6th & Market), join us for performances and speeches that celebrate the strength and resilience of survivors. In addition to the speeches, there will be activities for families, providing a space for connection and healing. We will honor their journey and reaffirm our commitment to creating a world free from violence and exploitation.
