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Student Counseling Services

Victims of Crime

USciences Resources:

  1. Public Safety: 215-596-7000 (24 hours/7 days a week). Student, faculty or staff members who are a victim of crime, observe an incidence of crime, need to report a missing person, or witnesses suspicious activity are encouraged to promptly report the information to the Department of Public Safety. Individuals can report information by calling 215-596-7000, or by using one of the emergency call boxes, that directly establishes communication with the Department of Public Safety 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  USciences Public Safety provides medical escorts for non-life-threatening emergencies to USciences-approved hospitals, emergency rooms, and healthcare centers.  Call 215-895-1117 to arrange for a Medical Escort or request additional information.  USciences Public Safety is available to provide walking escorts to all USciences students, faculty and staff, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, upon request.  Walking escorts are provided for the purpose of safety and security to all locations within the Public Safety patrol area (41st to 46th Street, Baltimore to Woodland (including 4619 Chester)).  The primary goal of the walking escort service is to allow safe travel from one location to another with a greater sense of security.
  1. Student Health and Counseling @ Suite 1200, Whitecar Hall is available on weekdays to consult with victims of violent crime regarding any physical injuries and/or emotional trauma resulting from the crime incident – many students are surprised to experience lingering anxiety or distress, even if no bodily injury resulted, but it is very common for crime victims to find themselves reliving the experience or in other ways preoccupied with a heightened sense of vigilance or other behaviors resulting from the crime.  For both Counseling and Health Services, you may walk in during our normal hours of operation or, in the case of counseling, you may also call ahead to schedule a counseling appointment in advance (215-596-8536).  Website:  http://www.usciences.edu/shac.   
  2. Dean of Students: 215-596-8756.   Available for University Administrative support, including short-term and long-term leave options.
  1. Office of Student Conduct: 215-596-7554. If a student would like to engage the University’s Student Conduct Process, he or she should submit a written statement regarding the alleged incident to the AAO, Public Safety, or the Dean of Students Office.  Anyone may file a third-party report detailing an incident involving behavior prohibited by the university.  However, the University will not initiate the Student Conduct Process or criminal process without the consent of the survivor. 

Local Philadelphia Resources:

  1. Philadelphia Police Department @ 5510 Pine St, Philadelphia, PA 19143-1320.  Students may dial 911 to connect with the local police department.  The USciences campus is supported directly by the 18th district of the Philadelphia Police Department
  2. Philadelphia West/Southwest Victim Services @ 5429 Chestnut St., Ste G3 – They provide help in getting financial compensation for any losses you experienced or any medical or mental health services you may require as a result of the crime. The West/Southwest Victim Services Program is committed to helping victims of crime in the 12th, 16th, 18th and 19th police districts. The program's Victims' Advocates offer supportive counseling, referrals, assistance with the legal system, crime victim's compensation and protection orders. For help or more information, please call (215) 748-7780 or email at tdowning@avpphila.org. 
  3. The Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia@ 2000 Hamilton St., Suite 304, Philadelphia, PA 19130.  Counseling is provided, free of charge, to adult and child co-victims of homicide and victims who have been traumatized by other forms of violence. AVP's licensed counselors have specialized training and experience in assisting co-victims homicide and victims of crime. People react differently to traumatic loss and violence. Some of the feelings and behaviors victims commonly experience include difficulty sleeping, emotional numbing, increased anger, social withdraw and feelings of powerlessness. AVP offers free, professional counseling at the main office, at a downtown facility, and at schools and other community sites. To find out more about counseling services, please contact them at (215) 567-6776 or via email at counselors@avpphila.org.  Their website is: http://www.avpphila.org/
  4. PSARC: Philadelphia Sexual Assault Response center. If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, all medical services are now offered through this centralized place located at 100 E. Lehigh Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125, 215-425-1374.

    Call 911 or Special Victims unit at 215-685-3251 and they will take you to the medical center for an examination. Even if you do not want to file a police report or are not sure the police will still need to escort you to the center for the forensic medical exam.

  5. PA SAVIN: Pennsylvania’s Victim Notification Service.  1-866-972-7284. www.pacrimevictims.state.pa.us.  This free service can let you know if a particular offender is in jail and give other important custody information.  Once you provide them with your phone number and/or email address, the service will contact you to let you know when that offender is released, transferred or escapes.

Domestic Violence Resources:

  1. Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR) @ One Penn Center, 1617 JFK Blvd., Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Office: 215-985-3315, Hotline: 215-985-3333 TTY: 215-564-1413.  Website: www.woar.org.  WOAR provides individual and group counseling to survivors of sexual assault, court accompaniment, and crisis counseling through its 24-hour hotline.  Services include children, adolescent and women’s sexual-health related counseling, abuse/assault-related services, mental health and general health referral services.  No charge for services.  Languages spoken: English, Chinese/Mandarin, Spanish.
  2. Women Against Abuse @ 100 South Broad Street, 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19110.  Daytime:  215-686-7082, Hotline: 1-866-723-3014, Emergency Shelter 1-866-723-3014. Website: www.womenagainstabuse.org.  Provides free legal advocacy for women dealing with domestic violence, including Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders, counseling about legal options, safety planning, court accompaniment, transitional housing and case management.
  3. Lutheran Settlement House Bilingual Domestic Violence Project @ 1340 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125. Daytime:  215-426-8610 x 236 Hotline:  1-866-723-3014 Website: www.lutheransettlement.org. Crisis intervention counseling, safety planning, bilingual advocacy and court accompaniment, referrals for domestic abuse services and other needs including referrals for shelter and housing, emergency food services, legal assistance, medical services, general counseling needs, sexual assault counseling, welfare assistance, services for gay and lesbian people, and services in multiple languages. The hotline is toll free and is answered by a trained counselor 24-hour a day.  They also provide FREE and confidential individual and group counseling services in Spanish and English for victims and former victims of domestic violence and dating abuse.
  4. Menergy, Men’s Resource Center.  215-242-2235. Menergy provides counseling and education services to men who are physically or emotionally abusive to their partners. Website: www.menergy.org

Delaware County Resources:

  1. Delaware County Women Against Rape.  Hotline: 610-566-4342, Daytime: 610-566-7954.  Serves all of Delaware County with services for victims of crime and rape.  DCWAR  provides a 24-hour hotline, as well as accompaniment services to the hospital, police station or court proceedings, and counseling services.
  1. Domestic Abuse Project (DAP) of Delaware County @ 14 West Second Street, Media, PA 19063.  Hotline: 610-565-4590, Daytime: 610-565-6272.  DAP offers short- and long-term supportive/educational counseling, as well as therapeutic counseling designed to address the emotional barriers that make it difficult to leave an abusive relationship. DAP counselors also facilitate support groups that provide clients with the opportunity to process their experiences with others confronting domestic abuse. DAP staff provide immediate crisis intervention, information and referral on a 24/7 basis. Call 610-565-4590. DAP provides emergency shelter to adults at imminent risk of physical abuse, advocacy and support in filing for temporary Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders and provides representation for clients at permanent PFA hearings.  DAP offers accompaniment and advocacy for victims involved in criminal proceedings against their abusers. Website: http://www.dapdc.org
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