Welcome to The Women's Center of Montgomery County

Traducción en Español (Spanish Translation)

Established in 1976, the Women's Center of Montgomery County is a volunteer-powered, community, feminist organization committed to social, political and economic equality of the sexes with a primary focus on freedom from domestic violence and other forms of abuse. We are dedicated to the empowerment of women through programs and direct services which include counseling and referral; legal and systems advocacy; education and enrichment; and legislative reform. These programs are administered by more than 200 trained volunteers and a paid staff of 11 full-time and 5 part-time employees in our offices located in Elkins Park, Norristown, Pottstown, Colmar and Bryn Mawr under the leadership of a community-based, volunteer Board of Directors. Additionally, we fund full-time staff positions for a Social Worker at Abington Memorial Hospital, as well as Central Montgomery Hospital in Lansdale, and a Training Facilitator for our Medical Advocacy Project.

The services provided by the Women's Center include: a 24-hour domestic violence hotline; individualized and group domestic violence counseling; telephone counseling; peer counseling; legal advocacy; court accompaniment; education and outreach to community groups, social service organizations, and schools; and various support groups. Programs fall into four categories:

1. Counseling Services:
Domestic violence hotline – crisis response
Safety planning
Individualized counseling (in-person and telephone counseling)
Peer counseling to provide women with ongoing support for conflict resolution
Support groups (non domestic violence) to address issues such as divorce, employment, bereavement, relationships, and substance abuse problems
Hotline, peer and support groups to help women who are struggling with language and cultural barriers
Referral source to community information and resources

2. Information, Educational and Enrichment Services:
Workshops
Professional trainings provided in domestic violence counseling and identification
Monthly newsletter (circulation 1200)
Community Education programs in Montgomery County schools, businesses, churches, synagogues, and other community groups about the dynamics of abuse & identifying ways they can help a battered woman.
Wonderful Older Women (WOW) programs, Advocates for Improved Medical Services (AIMS) forums.

3. Legal Advocacy:
Court accompaniment to hearings at court and district justice level
Assistance with legal options and available remedies to domestic violence victims
Direct advocacy on behalf of women seeking a temporary and final Protection from Abuse order.
Assistance in filing Indirect Criminal Complaints for PFA violations
Systems advocacy to effect social change.

4. Medical Advocacy Project:
Professional training to medical providers to provide universal screening, identification and early intervention for victims of domestic violence.
Technical support to hospitals in developing domestic violence protocols and procedures.
Seamless transition of counseling, supportive and referral services to victims identified through the medical service providers.