Pennsylvania Crimes

Even if you do not qualify for a restraining order, the abuser may have committed a crime. If you call the police, they may arrest him/her for a crime and you may get a restraining order through the criminal court. Remember that even if you do have a PFA, you can still report him/her to the police if you believe s/he committed a crime against you.

In our Abuse Using Technology section, you can learn the types of behaviors that are considered a misuse of technology. Some of these behaviors might be recognized as a crime depending on the specific laws of your state.

What are some crimes that the abuser may have committed in Pennsylvania?
If I am the victim of a crime, where can I get additional help in Pennsylvania?

What are some crimes that the abuser may have committed in Pennsylvania?

Here is a list of some possible crimes in Pennsylvania that the abuser may have committed. You can click on the links to read the legal definition of the crime in our Selected Pennsylvania Statutes page:

• assault
• reckless endangerment
• harassment
• stalking
• strangulation
• kidnapping
• unlawful restraint
• false imprisonment
• interference with custody
• concealment of whereabouts of a child
• rape
• statutory sexual assault
• sexual assault
• institutional sexual assault
• indecent assault
• indecent exposure
• unlawful dissemination of intimate image
• sexual extortion
• trespassing
• unlawful use of unmanned aircraft
• identity theft
• incest
• endangering welfare of children
• sexual abuse of children
• breach of privacy by using a psychological-stress evaluator, an audio-stress monitor or a similar device without consent
• unlawful use of computer
• computer trespass.

If I am the victim of a crime, where can I get additional help in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency runs an Office of Victims’ Services, which provides information on victims’ rights, victims’ compensation, as well as additional information about other victims’ services in Pennsylvania. They can also be reached at (800) 233-2339.

If you are a victim of domestic violence and have been charged with a crime, you can go to our Abuse Victims Charged with Crimes page.

Other organizations for victims of crime are listed on our National Organizations - Crime Victims page.