Everyone deserves to feel safe at home and in their relationships. If you are experiencing harm, threats, control, or fear: it is not your fault, and you do not have to face it alone.
Domestic violence is rooted in power and control—not identity, income, culture, or background. It affects people in every community. The Upper Merion Township Police Department is here to support survivors with care, respect, and understanding.
Your immediate safety comes first. Officers will assess the situation, separate the people involved when appropriate, and help connect you with care and support.
If warning signs are present, an officer may ask a standard set of questions to better understand the level of danger. When the assessment indicates high risk, the officer can connect you from the scene with a trained domestic-violence advocate for private support and safety planning.
Call the Women’s Center of Montgomery County at 1-800-773-2424. You can call even if you are unsure what you need or only want to talk with someone.
ODARA is a structured, evidence-based tool that trained officers may use after an intimate-partner violence incident. It helps estimate the likelihood that the person who caused harm may assault an intimate partner again. The assessment focuses on documented facts about the current incident and the person’s history.
An officer may ask you questions and review police or court records to obtain the information needed for the assessment. You may not know every answer. Share what you safely can; officers can verify information from other reliable sources.
The result gives police and justice partners a consistent way to understand relative risk. It may help inform safety planning, case follow-up, supervision, treatment, and other decisions intended to reduce the chance of further harm.
ODARA estimates risk for a group of people with similar scores; it does not predict exactly what one person will do. A lower score does not mean there is no danger, and your concerns, instincts, and immediate safety needs still matter.
A Protection From Abuse order is a civil court order that may set safety requirements, including directing an abuser not to contact or abuse you. Violating an order can result in arrest. An advocate or officer can explain options, but only a court can issue the order.
Weekday filing:
Montgomery County Court Administration
One Montgomery Plaza
425 Swede Street, 1st Floor
Norristown, PA 19401
Courthouse closed or urgent crisis:
Call 1-800-773-2424 for assistance reaching the on-call process. If police are present, officers can help you make the call.
Court procedures and hours can change. Confirm current filing hours with Montgomery County before traveling.
Safety planning, counseling, support groups, court accompaniment, elder-abuse advocacy, and shelter or resource referrals.
Visit wcmontco.orgEmergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling for adults and children, legal advocacy, and safety planning.
Visit laurel-house.orgTrauma-informed counseling, court accompaniment, crime-victim advocacy, sexual-violence services, and help with victim compensation.
Visit victimservicescenter.orgEligible victims may receive help with certain medical or counseling costs, loss of earnings, relocation, transportation, funeral costs, or crime-scene cleanup.
Learn about eligibility and applyCoordinates survivor services, works to reduce barriers, shares information, and supports policy initiatives.
Visit the county resource pageNational confidential support, safety-planning information, and connections to local help.
Visit thehotline.orgSafety plans are personal. An advocate can help you develop one based on your situation. Leaving can increase danger, so consider speaking with an advocate before making changes when it is safe to do so.
The Upper Merion Township Police Department and our partner agencies are committed to treating every survivor with compassion, respect, and privacy. Whether you are in crisis, planning for safety, or seeking information, we are here to help connect you with the support you deserve.