Intimate Partner Violence

Finding help for and healing from intimate partner violence

If you — or someone you love — are being hurt by a partner in any way, you are not alone. One in four women and one in seven men over the age of 18 have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner.* AHN has partnered with local organizations to connect you with counseling and resources that create a path toward a safer, healthier life.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) happens when someone is being hurt by a partner or ex-partner. It can happen in any kind of relationship, regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity. You don't have to be sexually intimate with someone for IPV to happen. If you're experiencing IPV, it's important to know it's not your fault and help is available.

AHN works with the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center to offer support. These organizations can help you create a safety plan, find a safe place to stay, talk to a counselor, get legal advice, join a support group, and even get financial help. You deserve to be safe and respected, and we're here to help you find a way forward.

Get help from abuse counselors

Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh

(412) 687-8005

Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center

(724) 224-1266

Recognizing IPV

Any type of physical, psychological, emotional, or sexual abuse that happens between you and a current or former partner, spouse, or someone you're dating is considered intimate partner violence. You may have heard the terms domestic violence, domestic abuse, or dating violence used rather than intimate partner violence.

Physical abuse can include:

Pushing, shoving, slapping, hitting, punching, kicking, strangling, choking, or burning you.
Throwing objects at you.
Forcing alcohol or drugs on you.
Threatening to harm you or a loved one, physically or with a weapon.
Depriving you of basic human needs, like sleep, food, or health care.

Psychological and emotional abuse can include:

Treating you or talking to you in a way that makes you feel like you're not good enough or you can never do anything right.
Making you feel ashamed, embarrassed, afraid, helpless, or depressed.
Actively criticizing, insulting, or putting you down.
Telling you what you can or cannot do, or who you can or cannot talk to or see.
Withholding money or necessary resources from you.
Making you fearful of your partner's temper or mood swings.
Being overly protective, jealous, or controlling.

Sexual abuse can include:

Forcing you to do sexual acts against your will, unwanted touching, or rape.
Stopping you from using birth control or refusing to use other forms of sexual protection.

If any of these things have happened to you or someone you love, you have the right to get medical care, save evidence, and take legal action against the person who is doing these things. If at any time you're in fear for your life, dial 911.

Support services for IPV

If you or someone you love are experiencing intimate partner violence, our partner organizations can help with:

Safety planning. A counselor can help you create a personalized safety plan to protect yourself and your children in different situations, like at home, at work, or when dealing with custody. This might include finding safe places to go, packing a bag with important items, creating a secret code to use with friends or family, and learning ways to calm down tense situations.
Crisis help and support. If you're in immediate danger or need help right away, both organizations have a 24/7 hotline that can provide emotional support and help you come up with solutions.
Emergency shelter. Our partner organizations offer safe places to stay for you and your family if you need to leave a dangerous situation. We can help you get connected to these shelters.
Counseling and therapy. This includes individual and group counseling to help you heal from the trauma you've experienced, build your self-esteem, and learn healthy ways to cope. These organizations can also help children who have seen or experienced domestic violence by providing therapy, support groups, and support in custody cases.
Legal help. A counselor can assist you with legal issues related to domestic violence, such as getting a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order, navigating divorce or custody cases, and understanding your legal rights.
Medical help. This includes going with you to medical appointments to help you understand your medical needs and make sure you get the care you deserve, especially if you have injuries.
Support groups. Both organizations offer a safe place for you to connect with others who have similar experiences and share your feelings.
Case management. This includes help with navigating complex systems like housing, employment, and public assistance to get the resources you need.
Financial help. Both organizations may be able to provide some financial assistance for things like transportation, rent, or other important needs.

Who to call

AHN partners with Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh and the Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center, a Pittsburgh-based counseling and resource center, to connect you to the help you need. You can reach these organizations at any time of day or night to get free, confidential support from a counselor.

Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh

24/7 hotline: (412) 687-8005
Text chat: (412) 744-8445
- Available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center

24/7 hotline: (724) 224-1266

In-person support

Our partner organizations also provide on-site support at seven AHN locations in western Pennsylvania:

What to do when you're ready to leave

Taking the first step to leave an abusive situation can be hard. Start by talking to someone you trust and asking for help. This person or a counselor at one of our partner organizations can help you make a safety plan, which can include:

Making an escape route for you and any children
Knowing where the nearest phone is or hiding a cell phone in a safe place
Hiding an emergency bag with cash, clothing, car keys, and important documents (e.g., driver's license, financial/public assistance papers, health records, insurance information, credit cards, and Social Security card.)

Domestic violence counselors are experts in safety planning and can help you plan regardless of the situation. They can also help you request a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order. A PFA order is a legal document that can order your abuser to stop harming you, leave your household, and not contact or harass you in public or private. It can also give you temporary custody of any children and order your abuser to pay temporary support.