United States: Information on the protection available for women in Pennsylvania, particularly in Erie, who are victims of domestic violence, whether shelters are available and the laws relating to domestic violence
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | USA28551.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, United States: Information on the protection available for women in Pennsylvania, particularly in Erie, who are victims of domestic violence, whether shelters are available and the laws relating to domestic violence, 1 January 1998, USA28551.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab2b8.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Please see the attachment from the Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania dated 13 January 1998 for a summary of the acts providing legal protection to women who are victims of domestic violence in Pennsylvania. These acts are:
Protection From Abuse (PFA) Act 1976
PFA Amendments 1988
Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Probable Cause Arrest StatuteAct 10 of 1986
Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services ActAct 157 of 1982
Spousal Sexual Assault StatuteAct 230 of 1984
Stalking Law 1993
PFA Amendments 1994
A representative of Safenet, a private non-profit agency that deals with domestic violence in Erie, in a telephone interview of 13 January 1998, stated that there was only one shelter specifically for victims of domestic violence called Hospitality House. This representative also stated that a similar shelter exists in Union City in Erie County. Safenet is part of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Reference
Safenet. Erie, Pennsylvania. 13 January 1998. Telephone interview with a representative.
Attachment
Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 13 January 1998. Letter to the Research Directorate.
Additional Sources Consulted
Electronic sources: IRB Databases, Global News Bank, LEXIS/NEXIS, REFWORLD (UNHCR database), World News Connection (WNC).
