Frequently Asked Questions

All Domestic Violence Service Center services, including shelter, are free of charge and kept completely confidential.

Women in the Emergency Shelter Program receive options-based counseling, information and referrals to all available community resources, and a wide range of other services designed to help them plot their course to a violence-free future.

Domestic Violence Service Center offers a Foster Pet Program that is available to victims of domestic violence who are leaving an abusive relationship and need a temporary home for their animal while they are in shelter. If you need additional information on the Foster Pet Program, just call the DVSC 24-Hour Hotline at 570-823-7312 or 1-800-424-5600.

No prepayment of fees is required. The perpetrator is always responsible for the costs of the PFA. The court can wave the fees if it is determined the perpetrator does not have the financial means to pay.

Direct the abuser to stop threatening, physically abusing or stalking the victim Evict/exclude the abuser from the home of the victim Direct the abuser not to contact the victim at home, work or school Give temporary custody of the children to the victim Allow only supervised visitation or place limitations on visitation to the parent who has abused the children Order the abuser to surrender to the Sheriff’s Department any firearms, other weapons, ammunition or firearms license owned or possessed by the abuser.

A PFA can be obtained for a period of up to three years. The court or parties, through a consent agreement, will determine the exact duration of the order.

In Luzerne County, you can go to the PFA Office located in the Luzerne County Courthouse, 200 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre. The office is located on the second floor. Filings can be submitted between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. It is best to arrive before 2 p.m. since it takes approximately two hours to complete the filing process. To file a PFA in Carbon County, go to the Prothonotary’s Office located on the first floor of the Carbon County Courthouse in Jim Thorpe.

A judge will review the petition and may grant a temporary PFA or set a hearing date. Either way, a copy of the petition will be taken to the Sheriff’s Department who serves a copy of the petition on the defendant. If the victim’s address is to remain confidential, it should not be listed on the petition. A final hearing is held, usually within 10 business days of the filing date. The temporary PFA remains in effect until the hearing. The judge may request testimony from each party. After the hearing, the judge will decide whether a final PFA is warranted.

If the defendant violates the PFA order, the victim should immediately contact 911 to report the incident.

If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, you could be in an abusive relationship and need help. Does your partner: Control what you do, who you see or talk to, or where you go? Take your money, make you ask for money or refuse to give you money? Tell you that you are a bad parent and threatened to take away or hurt your children? Downplay the abuse and act like it is your fault? Threaten you with guns, knives or other weapons? Shove, slap, kick or hit you? Act in ways that frighten you? Try to stop you from communicating with family and friends? Call you frequently to find out what you are doing and who you are with? Harm or kill your pets? Threaten to kill you or someone that you love?