Women’s Resources of Monroe County’s mission to end domestic violence and sexual assault in our community provides victims in crisis a community resource that is available to them 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, and 365 days per year. The crisis hotline is staffed by certified volunteers and staff members in accordance to industry standards. The 24 hour crisis hotline serves as the initial client contact for crisis intervention which may take the form of crisis counseling, hospital accompaniment, and/or legal advocacy. If Women’s Resources is not the right community resources for a clients particular situation, the organization will act as a referral between community partners. 

The Family Violence Prevention Fund reports that in a single day in 2008, 16,458 children were living in a domestic violence shelter or transitional housing facility.

Violence affects all individuals regardless of class, gender, race, or education level. Women’s Resources or Monroe County is the only certified, emergency crisis shelter available for individual and family victims of domestic or sexual violence seeking safety in Monroe County. Crisis Shelter is available at undisclosed locations in Monroe County and we operate 24 hours a day and 7 days per week. Battered women and children are able to utilize the temporary housing for up to 30 days and men and families with teen-aged boys are provided shelter within alternate facilities. During the time the victims are in our program, we assist them in safety planning and encourage individual goal setting. We offer supportive counseling and encourage the development of life skills. If you are a victim of domestic or sexual violence and need help, please call our hotline at 570-421-4200.

Exit interviews report that 71% of clients leaving our
shelters move on to transitional housing situations,
an apartment/room or with family/friends.

EVENTS

Law enforcement officials  estimate that as many as 50,000 sexual predators are online at any given moment.  At night, the number jumps to 250,000. (Teen Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape)

As educating our community on the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault is imperative to achieve our mission…Our Community Education, Prevention and Outreach efforts are the actions necessary to meet the goal. The impact of our outreach efforts with youth can be noted in a statistically significant increase in services sought and provided for both youth and adult participants. Through community and school-based education programs which reflect primary prevention techniques, we have promoted youth leadership and youth-adult partnership. For example, the STOP Abuse (Students Together for Outreach and Prevention of Abuse) peer education service allows youth to actively engage in the development of awareness activities on subjects such as teen dating violence, date rape drugs, child abuse and more.

Adult programs offer educational trainings and workshops for various professionals, such as; elementary and secondary school educators and guidance counselors, human service workers, law enforcement officers, attorneys, medical and mental health care professionals, religious leaders and community organizations. The training topics offered include topics such as the impact of domestic violence, sexual violence or harassment in the workplace, medical screening of domestic violence victims, and technical support in the development of appropriate practices around interpersonal violence. For more information see our events page or contact our Community Educator for more information.

88% of clients reported an increased knowledge of available community
resources after their involvement with our program.

The goal of the Legal Advocacy Program is to provide information, referrals and support to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault who choose to seek justice through the legal system.

The program began in spring 1998 with funds from a grant awarded to Monroe County (PA) by the PCCD (Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency) through the VAWA (Violence Against Women Act).

The advocate does not give legal advice, but shares information about the law including what legal options are available, and how to assess legal recourse. Program participants choose what, if any legal action they wish to take. The advocate does not recommend a particular direction, but will support whatever decision is made.

After an initial assessment either in person or on the phone, eligible persons may schedule a private appointment with the legal advocate. They may also wish to participate in other WR programs.

Help provided may include:

   • Preparing for working with an attorney
   • Learning to speak more effectively with legal personnel
   • Clarifying facts and expectations
   • Understanding attorney billing practices
   • Being able to frame specific questions
   • Identifying other places for support
   • Preparing for court or other meetings with players in the criminal justice system

Many of these skills will enable program participants to use their attorney’s time more efficiently, therefore saving money. It may also help the attorney focus more effectively on specific legal matters.

Other issues that might be addressed:

   • Examination of experiences
   • Identifying events, weapons and patterns that may be important to consider
   • Developing a personal safety plan

Through the Legal Advocacy Program we can also offer accompaniment to court appearances
or other meetings.

Brochures also available from Women’s Resources Legal Advocacy Program:
   • Understanding the Protection From Abuse Order
   • Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
   • Safety Planning

• Protection From Abuse (PFA) Advocates - Monroe County Courthouse: 570-420-3637

• Victim/Witness Coordinator – Monroe County District Attorney’s Office: 570 -420-3470, 570-420-3481

• Sexual Assault Investigator - East Stroudsburg University: 570-422-3063

• Childline – PA statewide registry for child abuse reports and referrals (24 hours): 800-932-0313

• Domestic Relations – Monroe County Office that enforces state and federal child support laws.    Applications for support begin here: 570-420-3400, 570-420-3650

• American Civil Liberties Union – Philadelphia Office: 215-592-1513

• Juvenile Law Center: 800-875-8887

• Legal Services of NEPA – bankruptcy, mortgages, landlord/tenant eviction, SSI and disability.
   No divorce or domestic violence. 570-424-5338

• Pennsylvania Bar Association Referral – Referral for lawyers at $30 for first ½ hour. 800-692-7375