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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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You are not alone.
We’ve been there.
“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
WOAR is looking for a Clinical Director to join our team!
We`re seeking a skilled and compassionate professional to provide leadership for our clinical services and support the dedicated staff delivering trauma-informed care to survivors of sexual violence across Philadelphia.
In this role, the Clinical Director will oversee our counseling programs while offering clinical guidance, supervision, and strategic leadership to ensure survivors receive exceptional care.
If you`re passionate about survivor-centered services, collaborative leadership, and making a lasting impact, we`d love to hear from you.
Learn more and apply: https://www.woar.org/join-our-team/
Please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity with your network as we search for an outstanding candidate.
Today, Pennsylvania made a historic investment in survivors, and Philadelphia’s leaders helped make it possible.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed the 2026–27 state budget into law, securing a $12 million increase for rape crisis programs across the Commonwealth.
For WOAR, this funding will help strengthen the counseling, hotline, medical advocacy, legal support and prevention services that survivors and families across Philadelphia rely on every day. It will also help us retain experienced advocates, rebuild capacity and respond to the growing needs of our community.
For years, survivors, advocates, staff, volunteers and community partners raised their voices. You shared your stories, contacted lawmakers, attended meetings and rallies, and made clear that Philadelphia’s survivors deserve a strong and sustainable system of support.
Your advocacy led to action.
We are deeply grateful to Philadelphia’s state legislators who listened, stood with survivors and supported this critical investment. We also thank Gov. Shapiro and members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate for recognizing the essential role rape crisis centers play in public safety, healing and justice.
This is a turning point for WOAR and rape crisis centers across Pennsylvania. The work continues, but today we celebrate what survivors and advocates made possible.
Philadelphia spoke. Survivors were heard. Pennsylvania acted.
#PhiladelphiaSurvivors #SupportSurvivors #PennsylvaniaBudget #RapeCrisisServices #WOAR
July is also Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to recognize the mental health needs and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.
Survivors of sexual violence may face additional barriers to seeking support, including stigma, discrimination, cultural expectations, financial obstacles, and a lack of providers who understand their lived experiences.
Healing should be accessible, affirming, culturally responsive, and centered on each survivor’s choices. This month, we honor Bebe Moore Campbell’s legacy by continuing to challenge stigma, expand access to care, and create spaces where every survivor feels heard, respected, and supported.
WOAR’s free and confidential support is available 24 hours a day at 215.985.3333 (text or call).
Community is stronger when we come together.
WOAR was proud to join Mazzoni Center`s "Don`t Guess, Just Test" community event, connecting with community members, sharing resources, and supporting access to sexual health education and care.
Thank you to Mazzoni Center and all of the organizations, volunteers, and attendees who made this event such a welcoming space to learn, ask questions, and prioritize health and wellness. We’re grateful to be part of a community committed to education, prevention, and support.
WOAR mourns the passing of former Pennsylvania State Senator Shirley Kitchen, a pioneering public servant whose decades of leadership helped improve the lives of countless Pennsylvanians.
Senator Kitchen broke barriers as one of the first Black women to serve in the Pennsylvania Senate and was a steadfast advocate for stronger communities, expanding access to affordable housing, improving healthcare for older adults, and investing in neighborhoods that had long been overlooked.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, former colleagues, and all those whose lives she touched. May her legacy of service, leadership, and commitment to justice continue to inspire future generations.
Today, we commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
As you gather with family and friends this July 4th, make safety, respect, and care for one another part of your celebration.
Stay aware, trust your instincts, respect boundaries, and practice enthusiastic consent.
Keep an eye on your food and drinks, plan a safe way home, and check in with friends throughout the day.
Everyone deserves to celebrate safely and free from sexual violence.
For anyone who needs confidential crisis support, text or call WOAR’s 24-hour hotline, available today and every day, at 215-985-3333.
Sexual violence can affect people at every age, yet elder sexual abuse often remains hidden, misunderstood, or unreported.
Quinn (WOAR) recently joined a panel at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging to discuss elder sexual abuse, the barriers older survivors may face when seeking help, and the importance of compassionate, coordinated support.
Quinn is pictured with fellow panelist Shaneita, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) from PSARC. SANE nurses provide specialized, trauma-informed medical care to survivors following sexual assault and are an essential part of Philadelphia’s response system.
If you need support, call or text WOAR’s hotline 24/7 at 215-985-3333. Survivors receiving a forensic exam at PSARC may also request a WOAR Crisis Advocate to provide phone or in-person support throughout the process. With the survivor`s permission, an advocate can follow up by phone after the exam.
We are grateful to the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging for creating space for this important conversation and to the professionals at PCA, PSARC, City Council, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who are working together to ensure older survivors are heard, believed, and supported with dignity.
WOAR is deeply concerned by the recent charges against two prominent Philadelphia pastors involving allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation. We stand in solidarity with survivors and all those impacted by these deeply troubling allegations.
Sexual violence is a profound abuse of power and trust. When it occurs within faith communities—spaces that are meant to offer guidance, healing, and safety—the harm can be especially devastating. These allegations underscore the urgent need for accountability, transparency, and meaningful prevention efforts in all institutions, including those that hold significant influence in our communities.
We want to be clear: survivors deserve to be heard, believed, and supported. No one is above accountability, regardless of their role, title, or status. It is critical that institutions respond to allegations with integrity, prioritize survivor safety, and take action to prevent further harm.
We also call on community leaders and organizations to take an active role in fostering safe environments, supporting survivors, and challenging systems that enable abuse. Ending sexual violence requires collective responsibility and sustained action.
WOAR remains committed to providing free, confidential support to anyone impacted by sexual violence in Philadelphia. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse or exploitation, help is available.
Call or text our 24/7 hotline: 215-985-3333.
www.woar.org
You are not alone.
Creating safer campuses requires collaboration.
Quinn recently joined leaders at La Salle University for a working session focused on strengthening a coordinated response to sexual violence on campus.
By bringing together departments, community partners, and professionals with different areas of expertise, the group explored ways to improve prevention, response, survivor support, and communication across the university community.
We are grateful to La Salle University for creating space for this important conversation and for its commitment to building a safer, more supportive campus for everyone.
For some, Father`s Day can be a time of joy and celebration. For others, they may not be. For immediate crisis support 24/7, call or text 215.985.3333.
Today, we honor #Juneteenth — a celebration of Black freedom, resilience, culture, and the ongoing struggle for justice. We recognize the enduring strength of Black communities that never stopped building, resisting, creating, and dreaming in the face of oppression.
We remember the generations who fought, sacrificed, led, and paved the way forward. We also recognize that freedom is not only something to commemorate—it is something we must continue to protect, strengthen, and make real for every generation.
May today be filled with reflection, joy, pride, and connection. Let us honor our ancestors, support Black-owned businesses, celebrate Black culture, and continue working toward a future where freedom is fully realized for everyone. ❤️🖤💚
WOAR is hiring a Clinical Director!
We are seeking an experienced, compassionate leader to guide our clinical services and support the dedicated team providing trauma-informed care to survivors of sexual violence throughout Philadelphia.
The Clinical Director will help ensure the highest quality of care while providing clinical leadership, supervision, and strategic direction for WOAR’s counseling programs.
If you are committed to survivor-centered care, collaborative leadership, and creating meaningful change, we encourage you to apply.
Learn more and apply: https://www.woar.org/join-our-team/.
Please share this opportunity with your networks and help us connect with an exceptional candidate.
