Women against abuse serves as the lead operator of the philadelphia domestic violence hotline - a streamlined point of access for crisis intervention, information, referrals and intake to the emergency safe havens. This 24-hour hotline received 10,218 calls in fy21, with 68% of callers identifying as a victim of domestic violence.New in fy21, women against abuse began offering web chatting as an alternative to the philadelphia domestic violence hotline. Adding this new technology makes crisis intervention, safety planning and referrals to resources more accessible for people who cannot call the hotline. Women against abuse launched webchat in mid November 2020 with an advertising campaign, and it is available Monday through Friday from noon to 8:00 pm eastern via www.Womenagainstabuse.Org.Women against abuse also operates the only emergency safe havens in philadelphia specifically for domestic violence victims; two facilities comprised of a total of 200 beds for adults and children who have had to flee their homes to escape abuse. The emergency safe havens are uniquely equipped with 24-hour security, confidential locations, and a continuum of on-site care, including case management, children's services and behavioral health therapy. Since its grassroots beginning more than 45 years ago, the emergency shelter services had been a refuge to survivors who identify as women and their children. In January of 2019, women against abuse opened its doors to welcome survivors of all gender identities and sexual orientations. This change was propelled by a commitment to being inclusive to survivors who identify as men, trans, or are gender nonconforming.The emergency safe havens remained open throughout covid-19, although the pandemic did effect occupancy rates and total number served, since measures had to be taken to ensure social distancing and the safety of residents and staff. The children's services team at women against abuse cares for the developmental and academic needs of the youngest victims of domestic violence, serving children and youth through an early learning center as well as an afterschool program and summer camp. These children's services - which are normally available on-site to residents at each of women against abuse's safe havens, as well as its transitional housing program - were provided remotely from March 2020 until April 2021 due to covid-19.The behavioral health team provides individual and group sessions to adult and child survivors at each of women against abuse's residential programs, in order to empower survivors to manage the symptoms of their trauma and begin to heal. Therapists adapted to provide virtual sessions to clients during the pandemic, thus ensuring this important support was still available.

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