The Domestic Violence Unit of the Lackawanna County District Attorney's Office was created to put an end to family violence in our community. Under the leadership of District Attorney Mark Powell, the Unit is staffed by two specially trained prosecutors, a domestic violence coordinator, a victim witness advocate, and a support staff member. The primary purpose of the Domestic Violence Unit is to treat domestic and family violence as a crime, and ensure the safety of victims and children affected by domestic violence.

The Unit’s prosecutors are committed to professional and comprehensive investigation and prosecution of family violence cases with a special focus on victim safety and offender accountability. Working in partnership with local police departments and the Pennsylvania State Police, each case is reviewed in detail by the Unit’s prosecutors to ensure a complete investigation and successful prosecution.

The Unit also assists victims with lethality assessments, temporary safe housing, comprehensive protection from abuse orders (PFAs), trauma counseling services, and accountability of the batterer through referrals to batterer intervention programs.

Recognizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach to domestic and family violence, the Lackawanna County Domestic Violence Task Force was formed to develop a countywide Domestic Violence Protocol. The task force is a collaborative effort between the DA’s Office, Women's Resource Center, Northeast Legal Services, Area Agency on Aging, Office of Family & Youth Services, and local probation and parole departments. The principal purpose of the protocol is to establish guidelines to be followed by police officers and other personnel involved in responding to domestic violence calls.

To report emergency domestic and family violence, call 911. Police will protect you from immediate danger and help you and your children get out of the house safely; arrest the abuser when there is probable cause to believe that an assault has taken place or that the abuser has violated a PFA; and will advise you of available shelter. If the situation is not an emergency, contact the Women's Resource Center for more information.