WOAR - Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence

WOAR - Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence WOAR - Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence is Philadelphia's ONLY Rape Crisis Center located in the heart of Center City Philadelphia.

This Pride Month, WOAR stands with LGBTQ+ survivors, advocates, partners, and community members.Every survivor deserves ...
06/01/2026

This Pride Month, WOAR stands with LGBTQ+ survivors, advocates, partners, and community members.

Every survivor deserves to be believed, supported, and connected to care that honors who they are. Creating safer communities means making sure support is inclusive, affirming, and accessible to all.

Pride is a reminder that visibility, dignity, and safety matter every day.

If you or someone you know needs support, please call or text 215-985-3333 for immediate crisis support.

Healing is not always loud. Sometimes it looks like a quiet pause, a deep breath, a gentle boundary, a short walk or a f...
05/27/2026

Healing is not always loud. Sometimes it looks like a quiet pause, a deep breath, a gentle boundary, a short walk or a few moments away from the noise.

Healing is something we can all do daily.

Small acts of care create space for calm, strength and hope. However you are moving through today, your mind deserves kindness too.

WOAR is here when you need someone to listen, help you find resources, or walk with you through the next step. Call or text 215-985-3333. We are here for you!

Healing takes support.For survivors of sexual violence, mental health care is not extra. It is vital. At WOAR, survivors...
05/26/2026

Healing takes support.

For survivors of sexual violence, mental health care is not extra. It is vital. At WOAR, survivors are met with trauma-informed care, a listening ear, resources, advocacy, and support when they need it most.

But r**e crisis centers across Pennsylvania are being asked to do more with less. WOAR and other centers have joined regional meetings and individual meetings with senators to ask for a $12.5 million state funding increase before the budget closes on June 30.

Here are three ways you can help:

>>Become a donor to help fill the gap.

>>Attend the Survivor Rally in Harrisburg

Date: Monday, June 8, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Pennsylvania State Capitol, 501 N 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA
Purpose: Raise support for survivors and advocate for the $12.5M funding increase for Pennsylvania r**e crisis centers to stabilize services across all 67 counties.

>>Call your senators and ask them to support the $12.5 million budget increase for r**e crisis centers.

Survivors cannot wait. Strong funding means stronger care, shorter wait times, and more support for people healing from trauma.

Thank you to Houndstooth Tattoo for choosing WOAR as the beneficiary of their Still Not Asking for It Tattoo Flash Fundr...
05/23/2026

Thank you to Houndstooth Tattoo for choosing WOAR as the beneficiary of their Still Not Asking for It Tattoo Flash Fundraiser.

Because of your generosity, creativity, and community support, $2,827 was raised to help WOAR continue providing trauma-informed care, advocacy, resources, and support for survivors of sexual violence.

We are so grateful to Houndstooth Tattoo, the artists, organizers, and everyone who came out to support this powerful fundraiser. Your support makes a real difference for survivors in our community.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the quiet battles so many people carry and the courage it take...
05/21/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the quiet battles so many people carry and the courage it takes to keep healing.

For survivors of sexual violence, mental health is deeply connected to safety, support and being believed. Healing is not linear -- it's not a destination you arrive at. Healing is a lifestyle.

But no one should have to walk that path alone.

At WOAR, we are here to support survivors with compassion, resources and trauma-informed care. Your story matters. Your healing matters. Help is available. Call or text 215-985-3333 for immediate support.

05/14/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us during SAAM 2026!

Consent must be informed, enthusiastic, and ongoing. Consent must be freely given, reversible at any time, and based on ...
05/12/2026

Consent must be informed, enthusiastic, and ongoing. Consent must be freely given, reversible at any time, and based on full awareness.

Anything less is not consent.

Consent is not the absence of a “no.” It is the presence of a clear, voluntary, and informed “yes.”

Consent cannot exist when someone is unconscious, asleep, drugged, or intoxicated beyond the ability to make decisions.

Consent also cannot exist when someone is coerced, manipulated, or pressured.

A person who is unconscious or incapacitated cannot consent.

Sexual activity under these conditions is sexual assault. There is no gray area.

There are no exceptions based on relationship status, prior sexual history, or assumptions about intent.

Survivors deserve support, not skepticism.

Survivors deserve to be believed, to be treated with dignity and respect, and to have access to confidential, trauma-informed services.

Everyone has a role in creating safer communities.

WOAR’s Teal Reception at Cozen O’Connor was a meaningful close to Sexual Assault Awareness Month and a powerful opportun...
05/08/2026

WOAR’s Teal Reception at Cozen O’Connor was a meaningful close to Sexual Assault Awareness Month and a powerful opportunity to commemorate 25 years of SAAM.

The evening brought together survivors, advocates, community partners, government leaders, staff, board members, and supporters to reflect on the progress made through shared commitment and to recognize the continued importance of standing with survivors across Philadelphia.

We extend our sincere thanks to Cozen O’Connor for sponsoring and co-hosting the event, and to everyone whose presence helped make the evening so special.

WOAR was proud to honor Joanne Strauss, Esq. with the Teal Stewardship Award, Jody Pinto with the Teal Legacy Award, Councilwoman Nina Ahmad with the Teal Legislative Champion Award, and G. Lamar Stewart for his commitment to survivors and partnership with WOAR.

Thank you to our speakers, award recipients, guests, supporters, staff, board members, and community partners. Marking 25 years of SAAM is more than a milestone. It is a reminder of what is possible when a community comes together with purpose, compassion, and a shared commitment to ending sexual violence.

WOAR was proud to recognize our Teal Award honorees during this year’s Teal Reception as we commemorated 25 years of Sex...
05/07/2026

WOAR was proud to recognize our Teal Award honorees during this year’s Teal Reception as we commemorated 25 years of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Congratulations to Joanne R. Strauss, Esq., President of WOAR’s Board of Directors. Joanne received the Teal Stewardship Award for her exceptional leadership and steadfast dedication. This recognition reflects her lasting impact on WOAR, the survivors we serve, and the broader Philadelphia community. Her guidance has helped strengthen key relationships, support organizational stability, and keep survivor-centered work at the heart of WOAR’s decisions.

We were honored to present Jody Pinto with the Teal Legacy Award in recognition of her vision, courage, and extraordinary role in WOAR’s history. Jody founded WOAR in 1971, establishing the first r**e crisis center in the nation. Her courage and commitment created meaningful change, and her legacy continues through each person who carries WOAR’s mission forward.

WOAR also honored Councilwoman Dr. Nina Ahmad with the Teal Legislative Champion Award for her longstanding partnership and continued work to advance legislation that impacts Philadelphia’s survivors. Her leadership has helped ensure survivors’ needs and support are part of important policy conversations.

G. Lamar Stewart received the Teal Community Champion Award for his commitment to survivors, valued partnership with WOAR, and work connecting communities with much-needed resources, support, and court accompaniment. His work reflects the importance of trust and access as survivors navigate difficult systems.

We are deeply grateful to each honoree for helping carry this mission forward and standing with survivors across Philadelphia.

Online spaces are being used to normalize and coordinate sexual violence.Sexual violence is not only happening behind cl...
05/07/2026

Online spaces are being used to normalize and coordinate sexual violence.

Sexual violence is not only happening behind closed doors. It is being discussed, encouraged, and even organized in online communities.

These spaces allow perpetrators to share tactics and strategies, reinforce harmful beliefs about consent, and create a sense of community around abusive behavior.

When abuse is normalized in these environments, it becomes easier for individuals to justify and escalate harm.

This is not just a technology issue. It is a public safety issue.

However, technology platforms must be part of the solution to monitor and remove content that promotes sexual violence to prevent the spread of exploitative material.

Online platforms cannot remain passive while harm is being facilitated through their systems.

Accountability must match the scale of the harm.

Address

1617 JFK Boulevard Suite 800
Philadelphia, PA
19103

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12159853333

Website

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