a division of respect together®
Sexual Violence Legal Assistance Project
Free Legal Help for Survivors in Pennsylvania
You deserve clear information, support, and choices about what happens next.
If you experienced sexual assault, abuse, or harassment, the Sexual Violence Legal Assistance Project (SVLAP) can help you understand your rights and explore your legal options. You do not need to know what kind of legal help you need before contacting us.
Our attorneys provide free legal assistance to survivors across Pennsylvania. We will listen to your concerns and explain your options.
Call 717-901-6784
Monday–Friday | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
If you are in danger, considering suicide, or need emergency help, CALL 911 (in the U.S.), or your local authorities now.
Request Legal Help Online
Before you begin: Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please avoid including unnecessary sensitive details in your initial message. A member of our team will contact you using the safe contact method you select below.
Free legal help. No income requirement. Available statewide.
You may have questions about your safety, your rights, your school or workplace, a police report, or what options are available to you. You do not have to have all the answers before reaching out.
SVLAP provides free legal help to survivors of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment throughout Pennsylvania.
SVLAP does not pursue any cases against individuals or institutions that result in a monetary damage award; therefore, our financial survival solely relies on donations and grants. Give a gift today to support PA survivors.
Please ensure your donations is made to the Sexual Violence Legal Assistance Project (select “Sexual Violence Legal Assistance Project” in the dropdown menu).
A Survivor First Approach to Lawyering | The Sexual Violence Legal Assistance Project
Established in 2018 by a federal grant, The Sexual Violence Legal Assistance Project (SVLAP) has served over a thousand survivors in their pursuit of justice. The attorneys of SVLAP approach sexual assault and rape cases with a trauma-informed lens, with the project focusing on the victim and not just the case. By offering free legal services to communities without legal resources in Pennsylvania, SVLAP has built its legal practice by putting the victim first.
SVLAP services are 100% free to clients and completely confidential. All attorneys are licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and all communications are covered by attorney-client privilege.
SVLAP offers services in the following areas:
General Legal Advice
A common service that is provided is general legal advice. Clients like to know what the process looks like should they report a sexual assault to law enforcement, their school or employer. Our lawyers are happy to discuss the options and how things can play out for you as well as what could be expected of you in a court case.
Title IX Work
SVLAP attorneys stand ready to assist college and university students as their “advisor of choice” during the Title IX process following a sexual assault or rape. For K-12 students, SVLAP helps to explain the rights of the families affected by sexual assault in schools and prepare them for the investigative process.
Criminal Justice Advocacy
SVLAP lawyers provide representation to victims involved in the criminal justice system to ensure that their rights as crime victims are enforced. We are sometimes able to advocate for victims who report their assault to law enforcement, but no charges are ever filed.
Sexual Violence Protection Order
SVLAP is always ready to stand with survivors to provide representation for a sexual violence protection order, which is an order of no contact. These orders can be powerful peace of mind tools to survivors of sexual assault.
Other Areas
SVLAP offers other areas of specialty such as: housing issues, employment issues, name change petitions, and PREA advocacy for those that suffered sexual assault, harassment, or rape.
Let Us Support You
The legal system is daunting, let SVLAP help by explaining the process and guide you through the system with your growth and healing as a priority.
SVLAP partners with the Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect’s (PCAR) network of rape crisis centers to help provide a path towards healing for survivors that are seeking legal help. While SVLAP uses trauma-informed practices, the lawyers are not counselors or therapists and happily provide referrals to all survivors.
2101 N Front Street, Governor’s Plaza North, Building #2, Harrisburg, PA 17110
1-800-692-7445 | info@pcar-respecttogether.org