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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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WOAR offers crisis support and resources for specific communities. Find guidance to get the help you
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Help for LGBTQIA+ victims/survivors
of sexual assault. It can get better.
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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
College life should feel secure and inclusive, but it`s important to acknowledge that some might misuse this feeling of safety to commit sexual violence.
Students can actively contribute to a safer campus by becoming proactive bystanders. Learning safe ways to step in can prevent potential assaults. Personal safety is also crucial, and while no measures can guarantee total protection, being informed about the steps you can take is a good start. Sexual violence is never the victim`s fault, and support is always available at WOAR. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, please call 215.985.3333. WOAR can help!
College life should feel secure and inclusive, but it`s important to acknowledge that some might misuse this feeling of safety to commit sexual violence.
Students can actively contribute to a safer campus by becoming proactive bystanders. Learning safe ways to step in can prevent potential assaults. Personal safety is also crucial, and while no measures can guarantee total protection, being informed about the steps you can take is a good start. Sexual violence is never the victim`s fault, and support is always available at WOAR. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, please call 215.985.3333. WOAR can help!
Most survivors know the person who sexually assaulted them. Sexual assault by a stranger is relatively uncommon. In fact, 8 out of 10 victims know the person who raped them — with perpetrators including acquaintances, family members, or a current or former romantic partner.
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual violence, WOAR is here to help. Take the first step to healing by calling our 24/7/365 hotline at 215-985-3333. Our experts use evidence-based trauma informed therapies in individual counseling and group sessions. Healing from sexual violence is possible. All you have to do is call 215.985.3333.
Most survivors know the person who sexually assaulted them. Sexual assault by a stranger is relatively uncommon. In fact, 8 out of 10 victims know the person who raped them — with perpetrators including acquaintances, family members, or a current or former romantic partner.
If you or a loved one has experienced sexual violence, WOAR is here to help. Take the first step to healing by calling our 24/7/365 hotline at 215-985-3333. Our experts use evidence-based trauma informed therapies in individual counseling and group sessions. Healing from sexual violence is possible. All you have to do is call 215.985.3333.
Survivors experience a range of mental health challenges. They can be long-lasting and profoundly impact a survivor’s well-being and quality of life. Nearly all female survivors reported PTSD symptoms in the two weeks following the rape. According to RAINN, 33% of female rape victims think about suicide, and about 13% attempt suicide.
If you or a loved one have experienced sexual assault and need help, call WOAR’s 24/7/365 hotline 215.985.3333. If you are in danger of harming yourself, go to the nearest hospital or contact The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7 by calling or texting 988. ¡Los servicios de texto y chat de 988 Lifeline ya están disponibles en español!
Survivors experience a range of mental health challenges. They can be long-lasting and profoundly impact a survivor’s well-being and quality of life. Nearly all female survivors reported PTSD symptoms in the two weeks following the rape. According to RAINN, 33% of female rape victims think about suicide, and about 13% attempt suicide.
If you or a loved one have experienced sexual assault and need help, call WOAR’s 24/7/365 hotline 215.985.3333. If you are in danger of harming yourself, go to the nearest hospital or contact The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7 by calling or texting 988. ¡Los servicios de texto y chat de 988 Lifeline ya están disponibles en español!
Rape and sexual abuse are preventable! Sexual violence can be stopped. Hundreds of schools, businesses, organizations, and institutions work with WOAR to bring sexual violence prevention workshops to their communities.
WOAR’s workshops provide strategies to stop rape and sexual abuse before it happens. Organizations can receive on-site training at their location. Workshops are single sessions where participants will gain knowledge, awareness, and strategies around preventing sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse, as well as how to effectively increase protective factors which support efforts to end sexual violence. These programs raise awareness and prevent sexual assault, child sexual abuse, sexual harassment in the workplace, human trafficking, and teen dating violence. Learn more at: https://www.woar.org/prevention-workshops/
Rape and sexual abuse are preventable! Sexual violence can be stopped. Hundreds of schools, businesses, organizations, and institutions work with WOAR to bring sexual violence prevention workshops to their communities.
WOAR’s workshops provide strategies to stop rape and sexual abuse before it happens. Organizations can receive on-site training at their location. Workshops are single sessions where participants will gain knowledge, awareness, and strategies around preventing sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse, as well as how to effectively increase protective factors which support efforts to end sexual violence. These programs raise awareness and prevent sexual assault, child sexual abuse, sexual harassment in the workplace, human trafficking, and teen dating violence. Learn more at: https://www.woar.org/prevention-workshops/
People who identify as part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities who have experienced sexual violence may face challenges in accessing legal, medical, law enforcement or other resources more than other populations.
Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do when someone you care about tells you they have experienced sexual violence. The reaction of the first person a survivor discloses to can affect if they choose to tell others or seek additional resources. Remember to listen without judgement, acknowledge the difficulty of what they went through, and tell them that you care about them. Here are a few tips:
Listen. Many people in crisis feel as though no one understands them and that they are not taken seriously. Show them they matter by giving your undivided attention.
Validate their feelings. Make statements like “I believe you” or “That sounds like a really hard thing to go through.”
Tell them in a direct way that you care about them by saying something like “I care about you” or “I am here for you.”
Use inclusive language that affirms the survivor’s gender identity and sexual orientation. Use neutral language like “partner” or “date” instead of “boyfriend/girlfriend.”
Do not ask about details of the assault. Avoid asking for details of how the assault occurred.
Learn more: https://www.woar.org/lgbtqia/
People who identify as part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities who have experienced sexual violence may face challenges in accessing legal, medical, law enforcement or other resources more than other populations.
Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do when someone you care about tells you they have experienced sexual violence. The reaction of the first person a survivor discloses to can affect if they choose to tell others or seek additional resources. Remember to listen without judgement, acknowledge the difficulty of what they went through, and tell them that you care about them. Here are a few tips:
Listen. Many people in crisis feel as though no one understands them and that they are not taken seriously. Show them they matter by giving your undivided attention.
Validate their feelings. Make statements like “I believe you” or “That sounds like a really hard thing to go through.”
Tell them in a direct way that you care about them by saying something like “I care about you” or “I am here for you.”
Use inclusive language that affirms the survivor’s gender identity and sexual orientation. Use neutral language like “partner” or “date” instead of “boyfriend/girlfriend.”
Do not ask about details of the assault. Avoid asking for details of how the assault occurred.
Learn more: https://www.woar.org/lgbtqia/
Philadelphia is one of the largest student hubs in the country with over 450,000 college students. Unfortunately, 20% of women and 6% of men nationwide have faced sexual assault since starting college.
But there`s hope!
🌟 City Safe Philadelphia, in collaboration with WOAR, offers specialized training programs for local colleges and universities. Our initiative aims to equip campus security, resident advisors, and other officials with the skills they need to prevent sexual assault and ensure student safety.
🔍 What we offer:
Prevention training: Learn strategies to prevent sexual assault on campus.
Bystander intervention: Equip staff, security, and students with the skills to recognize and safely intervene in harmful situations.
Enhanced protection: Train campus security, police, housing officials, and resident advisors to address sexual violence more effectively.
WOAR supports the City of Philadelphia by helping our esteemed colleges and universities create a safe, collaborative environment where everyone feels comfortable to speak up and take action.
📍 Philadelphia is not only an amazing place to study but also becoming a safer city for everyone.
Let’s make a difference together! 💪Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/CitySafeCollege
Philadelphia is one of the largest student hubs in the country with over 450,000 college students. Unfortunately, 20% of women and 6% of men nationwide have faced sexual assault since starting college.
But there`s hope!
🌟 City Safe Philadelphia, in collaboration with WOAR, offers specialized training programs for local colleges and universities. Our initiative aims to equip campus security, resident advisors, and other officials with the skills they need to prevent sexual assault and ensure student safety.
🔍 What we offer:
Prevention training: Learn strategies to prevent sexual assault on campus.
Bystander intervention: Equip staff, security, and students with the skills to recognize and safely intervene in harmful situations.
Enhanced protection: Train campus security, police, housing officials, and resident advisors to address sexual violence more effectively.
WOAR supports the City of Philadelphia by helping our esteemed colleges and universities create a safe, collaborative environment where everyone feels comfortable to speak up and take action.
📍 Philadelphia is not only an amazing place to study but also becoming a safer city for everyone.
Let’s make a difference together! 💪Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/CitySafeCollege
Safe Bars helps alcohol-serving businesses create safe, welcoming, and respectful environments for their patrons and staff. We focus on alcohol-serving businesses because at least half of all sexual assaults involve alcohol consumption by the aggressor, the target, or both, making alcohol-serving places and the hospitality industry a critical platform to address sexual violence. Though alcohol consumption and sexual assault frequently happen together, alcohol use doesn’t cause sexual assault. Given the relationship between alcohol and sexual assault, it’s critical that we build a safer culture in bars, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, clubs, conferences, events, and other alcohol-related spaces that don’t tolerate harassment or assault. Learn more https://tinyurl.com/SafeBarsPhilly
Safe Bars helps alcohol-serving businesses create safe, welcoming, and respectful environments for their patrons and staff. We focus on alcohol-serving businesses because at least half of all sexual assaults involve alcohol consumption by the aggressor, the target, or both, making alcohol-serving places and the hospitality industry a critical platform to address sexual violence. Though alcohol consumption and sexual assault frequently happen together, alcohol use doesn’t cause sexual assault. Given the relationship between alcohol and sexual assault, it’s critical that we build a safer culture in bars, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, clubs, conferences, events, and other alcohol-related spaces that don’t tolerate harassment or assault. Learn more https://tinyurl.com/SafeBarsPhilly
At least 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual abuse or assault, whether as a child or as an adult. Many men are taught to suppress their emotions and avoid vulnerability, often believing they can`t be victims, and seek help. This can lead to silence and internalized beliefs that expressing weakness is not masculine.
Understanding and supporting male survivors is crucial for their healing and mental health. By acknowledging and addressing this issue, we can create a more supportive environment for all survivors.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, remember, you are not alone. WOAR can help. Call our 24/7/365 hotline at 215-985-3333.
At least 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual abuse or assault, whether as a child or as an adult. Many men are taught to suppress their emotions and avoid vulnerability, often believing they can`t be victims, and seek help. This can lead to silence and internalized beliefs that expressing weakness is not masculine.
Understanding and supporting male survivors is crucial for their healing and mental health. By acknowledging and addressing this issue, we can create a more supportive environment for all survivors.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, remember, you are not alone. WOAR can help. Call our 24/7/365 hotline at 215-985-3333.
Happy 4th of July! Have fun and stay safe!
City Safe leads the charge in ensuring that Philadelphia’s hospitality industry is one of the safest and most well-trained at preventing and reporting sexual violence and human trafficking. If you sign up for City Safe training, you and your staff will:
-Be equipped with the tools to safely intervene when they suspect a potential sexually violent situation or trafficking situation is occurring.
-Learn you how to identify potential sexual violence and human trafficking situations
-Learn how to report potential sexual violence and human trafficking occurrences
-Learn to alert hotel management when they suspect that a co-worker is being harassed or victimized.
Learn more about City Safe at https://citysafephilly.org
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.
City Safe leads the charge in ensuring that Philadelphia’s hospitality industry is one of the safest and most well-trained at preventing and reporting sexual violence and human trafficking. If you sign up for City Safe training, you and your staff will:
-Be equipped with the tools to safely intervene when they suspect a potential sexually violent situation or trafficking situation is occurring.
-Learn you how to identify potential sexual violence and human trafficking situations
-Learn how to report potential sexual violence and human trafficking occurrences
-Learn to alert hotel management when they suspect that a co-worker is being harassed or victimized.
Learn more about City Safe at https://citysafephilly.org
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.
Showing kindness to others increases your sense of connectivity with others, decreases loneliness, improves your mood and your relationships. Make an impact by lending a hand to someone in your neighborhood. Spreading kindness, contributing to brighter days for others fosters a stronger community. What makes you feel like you belong? Help others feel like they belong too.
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. https://www.woar.org/
Showing kindness to others increases your sense of connectivity with others, decreases loneliness, improves your mood and your relationships. Make an impact by lending a hand to someone in your neighborhood. Spreading kindness, contributing to brighter days for others fosters a stronger community. What makes you feel like you belong? Help others feel like they belong too.
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. https://www.woar.org/
Philadelphia’s summer festival and concert season is in full swing. Incidents of rape and sexual assault tend to increase during the summer compared to other seasons. In the past twenty years, sexual assaults have increased in the summer. Here are a few ways you can stay safe while enjoying your time:
Take a portable charger with you
Go with friends and pick a meeting spot
Pick safe words to text your friends if you are uncomfortable.
If you drink, put a cover on your drink, and never leave your drink unattended.
Stay hydrated.
Learn more: https://buff.ly/3xuTEm0
If you, or someone you know, has experienced sexual violence, please call our 24/7 Hotline at 215-985-3333. WOAR can help.
Philadelphia’s summer festival and concert season is in full swing. Incidents of rape and sexual assault tend to increase during the summer compared to other seasons. In the past twenty years, sexual assaults have increased in the summer. Here are a few ways you can stay safe while enjoying your time:
Take a portable charger with you
Go with friends and pick a meeting spot
Pick safe words to text your friends if you are uncomfortable.
If you drink, put a cover on your drink, and never leave your drink unattended.
Stay hydrated.
Learn more: https://buff.ly/3xuTEm0
If you, or someone you know, has experienced sexual violence, please call our 24/7 Hotline at 215-985-3333. WOAR can help.
