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Why Is Shared Safety Needed?

Relational violence is alarmingly widespread throughout Philadelphia. Its impact on individuals, families and communities is devastating, and can be long-lasting and multigenerational. Prior to Shared Safety, Philadelphia had a small number of specialized organizations focused on providing support to people experiencing domestic violence and people acting abusively, but the need and demand for their services far exceeded their capacity. It was clear that Philadelphia needed a new approach.

  • While domestic violence affects communities all throughout the United States, in Philadelphia – where poverty rates are among the highest in the nation – the effects are magnified.
  • Each year, the Philadelphia Police Dept. respond to more than 100,000 emergency 911 calls that are domestic in nature. We work closely with the Police in providing follow-up to callers that are at highest risk of lethality.
  • Approximately 12,000 petitions for Protection From Abuse orders are filed in Philadelphia Family Court each year.
  • An estimated 2,000 annual visits to Philadelphia emergency rooms are likely by women who were assaulted by a spouse, ex-spouse, boyfriend or ex-boyfriend (FY11).  ^1
  • Women Against Abuse was forced to turn away 14,644 requests for shelter in FY2016, due to limited space in its two 100-bed emergency safe havens – the only such resource for victims of domestic violence.
  • There were 18 domestic violence homicides in Philadelphia in 2016, ranging in age from an 86-year old woman to a one-year old baby.

Nearly 80 stakeholders – including government agencies, service providers, and others – have come together to pursue a shared commitment to make system-level change in order to create a coordinated community response to relational violence.

1. Evelyn Jacobs Ortner Center on Family Violence. (2012). Violence Against Women in Philadelphia – A Report to the City. Philadelphia, PA: Sorenson.

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