Human Trafficking & Intimate Partner Violence Resources in Pennsylvania

Find trusted information, warning signs, prevention resources, and support for human trafficking, intimate partner violence, dating abuse, domestic violence, and relationship violence in Pennsylvania. Learn how to recognize the signs, protect yourself or someone you care about, and connect with local and national resources for help and support.

You have questions, we have answers.

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. It involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.

Below are some questions to ask yourself in order to evaluate suspected signs of human trafficking and what behaviors to look for in a victim of human trafficking.

  • Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?
  • Has a child stopped attending school?
  • Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
  • Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
  • Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
  • Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
  • Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?
  • Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
  • Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?
  • Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
  • Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
  • Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
  • Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?

Human trafficking can happen in any community, and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers might use the following methods to lure victims into trafficking situations:

  • Violence
  • Manipulation
  • False promises of well-paying jobs
  • Romantic relationships

Language barriers, fear of their traffickers, and/or fear of law enforcement frequently keep victims from seeking help, making human trafficking a hidden crime.

If you are victim of human trafficking and need help or suspect that someone else is a victim, here are some ways to find help or report human trafficking in Pennsylvania:

  • Call 911 if you are in immediate danger. 
  • Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Available 24/7 in English and Spanish.
  • Text the letters “Befree” or the numbers 233733 to reach the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.
  • Contact the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) at 1-800-692-7445.
Department of Health & Human Services, BLUE CAMPAIGN

The Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and other industry partners to recognize the signs of human trafficking, and how to respond to possible cases.

How to report human trafficking:


To report suspected human trafficking to Federal law enforcement: call 1-866-347-2423

The Facts about IPV & Human Trafficking

More than 1 in 3 women (nearly 43.5 million) and more than 1 in 6 men (20.7 million) experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetimes.
Pennsylvania ranks 9th nationally
for the most reported cases of human trafficking, according to data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
When IPV occurs in adolescence, it is called teen dating violence. About 16 million women and 11 million men said that they first experienced intimate partner violence before age 18.

Resources for Intimate Partner Violence

Love is Respect is an organization whose purpose is to engage, educate and empower young people to prevent and end abusive relationships. Highly-trained advocates offer support, information and advocacy to young people who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships. They also provide information and support to concerned friends and family members, teachers, counselors, service providers and members of law enforcement. Free and confidential phone, live chat and texting services are available 24/7/365.

Hotline: 1-866-331-9474

Since 1981 the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County in Pennsylvania has been the community’s response to violence and abuse, serving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other serious crimes and older victims of any crime, as well as services to Human Trafficking victims, while also working to prevent violence and abuse through prevention education, intervention training and public awareness. Therapy services have been added for trauma victims.  As a member of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the local shelter is active in the oldest and most respected coalition in the country. Statewide in PA, the Shelter’s services are recognized for innovative program excellence.

Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County Hotline: 724-652-9036

Operating around the clock, seven days a week, confidential and free of cost, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse. Callers to The Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) can expect highly trained, experienced advocates to offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information, educational services and referral services in more than 200 languages. Visitors to this site can find information about domestic violence, online instructional materials, safety planning, local resources and ways to support the organization.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Since 1976, victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence have found the help and hope they need at the Women’s Center of Beaver County in Pennsylvania.  They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their services are always confidential and provided free of charge. They provide crisis intervention, emergency shelter, counseling, legal and medical advocacy and prevention education. The Women’s Center advocates for ALL victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault without regard to status, race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical ability or language.

Women’s Center of Beaver County Hotline: 724-775-0131

For over 45 years, Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania has been a leader in providing safety, shelter, support and guidance to all survivors of domestic violence. During this time, they have been witness to both the triumphs and heartaches associated with this complex issue that affects 1 out of 4 women in America. They know that no two situations are ever alike, but it is through our common understanding and genuine compassion that they can offer a sanctuary to women and their children suffering at the hands of domestic violence. Today, their mission is to advance the safety and wellbeing of survivors of intimate partner violence and prevent and respond to intimate partner violence through social change.

Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh Hotline: 412-687-8005

Break the Cycle inspires and supports young people 12 – 24 to build healthy relationships and create a culture without abuse. They are a culturally affirming organization that centers young people, caring adults, and communities in our prevention and intervention efforts. Their dynamic and diverse team believes that all young people deserve to live in a world where they can thrive.

Southwest PA says No More

Across southwestern Pennsylvania, community leaders and thousands of concerned citizens are coming together to take action to end violence against women.  FISA Foundation, in partnership with The Heinz Endowments and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania developed Southwest PA Says No More to showcase the important prevention-focused work happening here, and to make it easier for individuals and organizations to take action to stop gender-based violence.

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania

The Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania has been providing safe housing and other domestic violence-related services continuously in Pennsylvania’s Washington County since August of 1984.  The mission of Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania is to increase awareness of domestic violence and its effect on the community, to empower those victimized by providing advocacy and safe and effective services, and to work for social change designed to eliminate domestic violence.

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania Hotline: 1-800-791-4000

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence – Is This Abuse? QUIZ

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) is a statewide collaborative membership organization committed to ending intimate partner violence and all forms of violence against women. Founded in 1976, PCADV is the oldest statewide domestic violence coalition in the nation. Each year, its network of 60 local domestic violence programs provide free and confidential direct services to nearly 90,000 victims and survivors of domestic violence and their children in all 67 counties of the Commonwealth. Together, local programs and the statewide Coalition work in collaboration to deliver a continuum of services, support, and systems to help victims and survivors find safety, obtain justice, and build lives free of abuse.

Resources for Human Trafficking

If you see something unusual or suspicious, trust your instincts. Human trafficking can happen anywhere, including in our communities.
You can report concerns or get help by contacting the National Human Trafficking Hotline:

Call: 1-888-373-7888
Text: Send HELP or INFO to 233733 (BEFREE)

The hotline is confidential and available 24/7.

Eden’s Farm provides a safe place, resources, and trauma-informed care to survivors of human trafficking in PA and commercial sexual exploitation. The organization partners with other Pittsburgh-based groups to help survivors navigate life after trafficking. Transitional housing is available.

Pennsylvania Office of Victim Services

The purpose of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Office of Victims’ Services website is to provide quality resources and information to individuals who have been victimized by crime and to friends and family who want to offer support to a victim of crime.

If you have non-urgent questions or would like additional information on teen dating violence, please reach out to us at knowthesigns@adagiohealth.org.

Please note that this email address is not monitored 24/7 and is not for emergency purposes. If you have an emergency, please contact your local authorities or call one of the hotlines listed above.

You can also learn more about other care services for teens and education resources we provide at Adagio Health.

Help when you need it most.

 Have questions or aren’t sure which location to visit? Call 1-800-215-7494 to speak to a member of our friendly staff at Adagio Health!

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