Domestic Violence Service Center (DVSC)

Our Philosophy

Domestic Violence Service Center is founded on the belief that violence in the home is a crime, primarily committed against women and children, which has a devastating impact on the lives of all the family members and on society as a whole. Furthermore, our society’s cultural and historical acceptance of family violence contributes to the prevalence and perpetuation of the problem.

All individuals - men, women, and children - have the right to freedom from violence in their lives. Domestic Violence Service Center is committed to working toward and end to the problem of family violence in our culture. This commitment includes the provision of quality supportive services designed to assist victims of family violence in finding safe and appropriate solutions to the problem of violence in our lives.

With proper networks of support systems, victims of family violence can reach their potential as strong and self-actualized individuals.

Domestic Violence Service Center is committed to helping victims find those networks and to helping the community develop and strengthen services and support for victims.

Finally, Domestic Violence Service Center is committed to the effort ofchanging individual and societal attitudes which have contributed to the pervasiveness of violence in our culture.

Victim/Survivor Participation

Domestic Violence Service Center acknowledges the experiential expertise of victims and survivors of domestic violence as well s the potential for positive growth and development that can be gained through the sharing of knowledge and experience. It is, therefore, the policy of Domestic Violence Service Center to encourage the participation of victims and survivors in all aspects of the Agency’s work.

DVSC Services

Counseling Support Groups
Crisis Intervention Emergency Shelter
Professional Training Community Education
Information and Referral Legal Service Advocacy

General Stats

• A battering incident occurs every 9 seconds in the United States. 4-6 million women are beaten each year; 4 women are murdered everyday by their partner/spouse in the United States.
• Domestic violence is the least reported crime.
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children in the United States.
• Battering is single largest cause of injury to women. Battery by a spouse is responsible for more injuries than car accidents, rapes and muggings combined.
• Murder is the number 1 cause of death among pregnant women in the United States. Usually, the pregnant woman is killed by an intimate partner. Many times domestic violence does not begin until a woman becomes pregnant.
• Battering accounts for at least one-third of all hospital emergency room visits by women.
• Research has shown a connection between animal abuse and domestic violence. Many times when the Humane Society investigates an animal abuse report, they discover violence within the home.
• There is a strong connection between spouse abuse and child abuse. In homes where domestic violence occurs, children are abused or seriously neglected at rate of 1500% higher than the national average.

Domestic Violence in Pennsylvania

• During January to December 2006, 95 domestic violence incidents in 40 counties resulted in 127 in Pennsylvania.
• 64 women and 23 men were murdered in 2006 in Pennsylvania.
• 3 children and 2 teenagers lost their lives to domestic violence related incidents in 2006.
• The weapon of choice in 2006 was a gun…54.3% of victims were shot by their perpetrator.
• December 25- A 55-year old mother of one was beaten with a flashlight and shot by her 60-year old husband at their Butler home. He also fatally shot her 17-year son. The perpetrator then went outside to play with his dogs and wish the neighbors a “Merry Christmas” before calling 9-1-1 to tell authorities they would find 3 dead bodies at his residence. He then committed suicide.
• April 13 – A 54-year old mother of three, and grandmother of six, was hit with a microwave oven, beaten and stomped on by her 58-year old boyfriend in their Uniontown home. According to reports, the perpetrator was angry because the victim wouldn’t heat up some sandwiches for him. After attacking her, the perpetrator carried the victim’s body to the bedroom where he realized she wasn’t breathing and called 9-1-1. In the past, two other women had obtained Protection From Abuse orders against the perpetrator. He was charged with homicide.

Domestic Violence in Luzerne County

• In Luzerne County law enforcement officials receive an estimated 24 calls a day concerning domestic violence.
• The Domestic Violence Service Center receives an average of 450 hotline calls each month.
• 8 people lost their lives to domestic violence in Luzerne County in 2006.
• In 2006, 107 women resided in DVSC’s emergency shelter for a total of 2,212 days and 70 children resided in emergency shelter for 1,813 days.

How to Reach Us

Domestic Violence Service Center
P.O. Box 2177
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Office: (570) 823-6799
Fax: (570) 821-0475
24-Hour Hotline: (570) 823-7312 or (800) 424-5600
TDD: (570) 823-5853
Bridge Housing Program: (570) 826-9185