Domestic Violence Awareness and Support in Northeastern Pennsylvania
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an opportunity to recognize abuse, support survivors, and connect people with resources here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Throughout October, purple ribbons and displays serve as visible reminders of support for domestic violence survivors. Wearing purple can help start conversations, but listening, sharing resources, and supporting survivors’ choices carry that commitment further.
Domestic violence can affect people of any gender, age, sexual orientation, income, or background. Women, men, transgender people, and nonbinary people all deserve safety, respect, and access to support.
At Frick Counseling, we want people to know that support is available whether they are questioning a relationship, currently experiencing abuse, or processing experiences from years ago.
Abuse can take many forms
Physical violence is one form of abuse. Others include sexual violence, threats, stalking, emotional harm, financial control, and isolation from friends or family.
Abuse may involve monitoring a partner’s phone, controlling access to money, pressuring someone into sexual activity, or making them afraid to disagree. Some survivors find themselves changing their behavior to avoid a partner’s reactions.
Whatever the circumstances, responsibility for abuse belongs to the person causing harm.
What recent statistics tell us
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in guidance updated in August 2026 using its 2023–2024 national survey data, reports that:
More than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetimes.
Nearly 1 in 3 women and about 1 in 8 men experienced those forms of violence along with a related impact, such as injury, safety concerns, or needing medical care.
These figures describe specific forms of intimate partner violence. They are not a count of every form of emotional abuse, financial control, or coercion.
In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s 2025 fatality report identifies 99 victims who died from domestic violence homicides. Seventy-two percent were killed with a firearm.
Behind these numbers are people, families, and communities. They reinforce the importance of accessible support, prevention, and individualized safety planning.
You do not need to have everything figured out
Recognizing abuse can be complicated, especially when a relationship also includes affection, shared history, children, financial dependence, or hope that things will change.
You may feel uncertain about how to describe your experience. You may have conflicting feelings about the relationship or worry about what happens next.
You deserve support while you work through those questions. You do not need a clear label or a decision already made before reaching out.
A domestic violence advocate can help you explore options and develop a safety plan that fits your circumstances. Counseling can provide additional support for the emotional effects of abuse.
Counseling support with Clair Breese
Clair Breese, LSW, is a Licensed Social Worker at Frick Counseling with extensive experience working with survivors of domestic violence.
In her own words: My five years working as a counselor and advocate with survivors of domestic violence shaped me in ways that continue to influence who I am, both personally and professionally. That experience changed the way I understand safety, relationships, and the lasting impact of abuse. When I work with individuals who are currently in, leaving, or healing from a domestic violence relationship, my goal is always centered on empowerment and on supporting both their physical and emotional safety, while honoring that each person deserves to have autonomy over their choices and their own life. One of the things that has stayed with me most is the impact of verbal and emotional abuse. I remember hearing survivors tell me that they would rather take a hit than hear the words their partner used against them. Physical violence leaves injuries and bruises, but words are often what people carry long after the relationship has ended. The lasting impact of being degraded, threatened, controlled, or made to question your own worth is something I will never minimize. Domestic violence is about so much more than physical violence, and I believe recognizing the full scope of abuse is an essential part of supporting survivors with the compassion, respect, and safety they deserve.
Clair offers online therapy for adults throughout Pennsylvania. Her approach centers on safety, trust, and connection, providing space to explore how difficult experiences have affected your emotions, relationships, and sense of self.
Therapy may help you process experiences, understand patterns shaped by trauma, strengthen trust in yourself, and identify your needs. This work can happen at your pace.
Learn more about Clair and request an appointment.
Local domestic violence resources
Lackawanna and Susquehanna Counties — WRC
WRC, formerly known as the Women’s Resource Center, provides free, confidential services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking.
Services include safety planning, crisis intervention, counseling, safe housing, and legal advocacy. WRC explicitly welcomes survivors of all genders, including men and LGBTQ+ people.
24/7 hotlines:
Lackawanna County: 570-346-4671
Susquehanna County: 570-278-1800
Toll-free: 800-257-5765
Luzerne and Carbon Counties — Domestic Violence Service Center
The Domestic Violence Service Center serves Luzerne and Carbon Counties. Advocates can help with safety planning, counseling, support groups, emergency shelter, and information about protection-from-abuse options.
24-hour hotline: 570-823-7312 or 800-424-5600
Explore Domestic Violence Service Center resources.
Wayne and Pike Counties — Victims’ Intervention Program
Victims’ Intervention Program provides free, confidential support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and other forms of abuse.
Services include crisis support, counseling, shelter, and legal advocacy. VIP also identifies LGBTQ+ affirming support as part of its services.
Call or text the 24-hour hotline: 570-253-4401
Get help from Victims’ Intervention Program.
Wyoming County — Victims Resource Center
Victims Resource Center’s Tunkhannock office supports survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and other serious crimes, as well as affected family members and friends.
Wyoming County contact: 570-836-5544
VRC also has offices supporting survivors of sexual violence and other crimes in Luzerne and Carbon Counties.
Contact Victims Resource Center.
Voices Unbroken — Survivor-led advocacy and peer support
Voices Unbroken is a Peckville-based, survivor-led organization focused on education, advocacy, and empowerment for people affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
Its website lists support groups for women, men, and LGBTQ+ survivors, as well as peer groups addressing mental health, addiction, and parenting after trauma. Contact the organization for current group availability and participation details.
Email: contact@thevoicesunbroken.org
Explore Voices Unbroken or learn about its support groups.
Other Pennsylvania counties
If you live outside these counties, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence maintains a statewide directory of local programs.
Find your local domestic violence program.
National support and safer ways to reach out
The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers confidential support and safety planning:
Call 800-799-7233
Text START to 88788
Visit thehotline.org for online chat.
If someone may be monitoring your phone or internet activity, consider reaching out from a safer device. Private browsing and quick-exit buttons do not remove all traces of internet activity.
In an immediate emergency, call 911.
You deserve support that respects your choices, your identity, and your pace.