Pennsylvania Protections for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is particularly relevant this year in light of the allegations against the Cornell 7. Cases such as sexual assault with domestic partners sometimes are questioned by authorities because the survivor of the assault may have consented to having sex with the alleged perpetrator prior to the alleged sexual assault occurring.

In fact, psychological studies show victims of sexual assault often return to their perpetrators and have consensual sex even after raising an allegation of sexual assault. Victims of domestic violence often believe they are to blame, that no one will find them credible, that the accused will go free, or that others will think the victim “deserved it.” These and other concerns frequently prevent victims from reporting incidents to law enforcement.

Victims of sexual assault often live with PTSD and trauma-related issues long after the assault has occurred and sometimes failure to properly treat these issues can lead to drug and alcohol abuse.

In Pennsylvania, victims have legal protections available under the Protection From Abuse Act when the accused is an intimate partner, spouse, former partner, or family member. If the accused is not an intimate partner or family member, a victim of sexual assault may still get protection under the Sexual Violence Protection Order.

More importantly, victims of sexual assault should report the incidents as soon as possible in order to preserve evidence and obtain help as soon as possible.