About WAA

Since its founding, as a part-time domestic violence hotline in a neighborhood women's center, Women Against Abuse, Inc. (WAA) has been the only comprehensive program in Philadelphia whose sole purpose is to assist victims of domestic violence and their children. The organization has grown to become one of the largest domestic violence programs not only in our state but also in the country. Last year, WAA served 10,768 individuals.

The mission of WAA is to provide quality and compassionate services, in a manner that fosters self-respect and independence in persons who have been victimized by domestic violence.

WAA operates the only shelter in Philadelphia exclusively for battered women and their children; the nation's first legal center for domestic violence victims; and the region's first transitional housing program for abused families.

The overwhelming majority of WAA's client population is women and their children. Our client population reflects the fact that the majority of the victims of domestic violence are women. They come to WAA at the point of separation from their abuser and at a time when they are ready to gather the tools necessary to confront their life challenges and begin lives of independence and freedom from the turmoil and uncertainty of domestic violence.