Montco Had 4 Percent Of PA's Protection From Abuse Orders In 2019
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Montgomery County had one of the largest percentages of protection from abuse orders granted in Pennsylvania in 2019.
That's according to newly released statistics from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, which analyzed nearly 40,000 different petitions. PFAs are civil orders issued by the state to protect victims or potential victims of domestic violence, usually from a partner or family member.
>>Domestic Violence Rises In Montco: Where To Turn If You Need Help
Montgomery County trailed only Philadelphia (22 percent), Allegheny (9 percent), and Delaware (5 percent) in the largest share of PFAs issued in 2019.
The latest statistics come as Montgomery County sees a rise in domestic violence cases in 2020 since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Isolation and quarantine have exacerbated underlying issues and caused increased stress in many cases, officials say. In the early months of the outbreak, cases of reported domestic violence increased by 9 percent in the county.
There's also been a rise in relationship-related homicides in the county in 2020. They account for nine of 2020's 14 homicides, per the District Attorney's Office.
The county kept the courts working through the pandemic so that residents could continue to file PFAs.
PFAs can require that a domestic abuser have no contact with the victim or children. They can also order the abuser to leave the home where the abuse is taking place, or pay fines related to the abuse.
Statewide, the total number of PFAs filed increased to 39,132 in 2019. It's a number that's trickled steadily upwards since 2015, when 37,563 orders were filed.
There are numerous other resources available for victims in Montgomery County:
Laurel House
Open 24/7
Provides immediate, safe shelter for victims and children of victims
Provides counseling via Telehealth
Call 800-642-3150
Women's Center of Montgomery County
Open 24/7
Partners with law enforcement to provide counseling, relocation assistance, help with protection from abuse orders, and other advocacy to victims
Call 800-773-2424
Victim Services Center
Open 24/7
Offers crisis counseling, medical exam support, help with protection from abuse orders, and more
Provides counseling via Telehealth
Call 888-521-0983
Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center
Mental health treatment, resource referrals, medical care
Trauma therapy offered through Telehealth
Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Call 484-687-2990
This article originally appeared on the Norristown Patch
