Gun violence claims the lives of hundreds of Philadelphians every year, leaves many others seriously injured, and takes a psychological toll on family members, friends and communities.
While many are affected, the impact is disproportionately concentrated in poorer Black and brown neighborhoods. Nearly 80% of the more than 1,500 people shot in the city this year are Black, and 87% are men, according to the City Controller’s gun violence dashboard. A majority are under the age of 30.
Counseling, peer support and victim advocacy services are available locally – often free of charge – to assist victims and their families.
Local victim services
A victim services agency operates out of each Philadelphia Police Department division. The organizations provide support to victims and witnesses; help them understand the legal system; inform them of their rights; aid them in accessing compensation; and provide counseling or refer individuals to outside providers.
Northwest Victim Services, which was established in the 1980s as the first such agency, is located at 6023 Germantown Ave. and can be reached 215-438-4410.
Central Division Victim Services covers the 6th, 9th and 22nd PPD districts in Center City and North Philadelphia, and its offices are located at 1538 Cecil B. Moore Ave. and 1315 Walnut St., Suite 320. CDVS’s phone number is 215-763-3280.
Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia is headquartered at 1800 Jackson St. and can be reached at 215-551-3360.
In West and Southwest Philadelphia, victims can call the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia at 267-217-3754 or send an email to victimservices@avpphila.org.
Congreso, at 216 W. Somerset St., hosts the victim services agency for the East Division. Victims can call 267-968-1813.
Individuals in Northeast Philadelphia can reach out to Northeast Victim Service at 215-332-3888. The organization’s office is located at 16 Old Ashton Road, Suite 5.
Citywide organizations
Mothers in Charge advocates for families impacted by gun violence and provides grief counseling, conflict resolution, peer support and a host of other services. Contact the organization at info@mothersincharge.org or 215-228-1718.
E.M.I.R. (Every Murder is Real) Healing Center provides support to victims and co-victims of gun violence with housing assistance, trauma-informed counseling and help accessing compensation programs. E.M.I.R is located at 59 E. Haines St. and can be reached at 215-848-4068 or info@emirphilly.org.
The Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia’s Families of Murder Victims program provides support and services to those with a loved one who has been killed in a homicide. AVP, based at 4946 Parkside Ave., also provides counseling for crime victims. Call 215-567-6776.
The Network of Neighbors Trauma Response Network trains community members to address trauma when violence happens in their neighborhood. The network is an initiative of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services and can be contacted at 267-233-4837.
Uplift Center for Grieving Children, based in East Falls, offers free peer support groups and counseling for students in grades K-12 who have lost a parent, sibling or another important person in their lives. Call 267-437-3123.
The CARES Unit, part of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, sends peer crisis responders to provide support and advocacy to family members in the immediate aftermath of a homicide and up to 60 days thereafter.
Hotlines
United Way and the City of Philadelphia operate a gun violence prevention hotline, which callers can access by dialing 211 and selecting option 3. Those manning the phones can direct residents to grief support, prevention services and other assistance.
Anyone experiencing a mental health emergency can call the 988 suicide and crisis hotline or 215-685-6440. People can also text “HOME” to 741741.
If you know of an organization or group helping victims of gun violence that is not included in this list, please send an email to jack.tomczuk@metro.us, so it can be added.
