Metro Philadelphia

As Philadelphia continues to mourn the death of Kada Scott, local leaders are renewing calls to strengthen protections for victims of abuse.

Scott, 23, was reported missing earlier this month — she was last seen on Oct. 4, leaving the Chestnut Hill assisted living facility where she worked. Her remains were discovered two weeks later in a shallow grave behind Ada H. Lewis Middle School in East Germantown. 

Keon King has since been charged with murder, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, and conspiracy, among a litany of related charges, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office. 

Advocates say Scott’s death has reignited an urgent conversation about how communities and lawmakers can work together to prevent future tragedies and ensure victims have the support they need to seek safety and justice.

Here are local resources that can help support and protect survivors:

Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline

Confidential help is available 24 hours a day through the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline (866-723-3014), where counselors can assist with services such as emergency shelter and crisis intervention. Translation services are available.

Lutheran Settlement House Bilingual Domestic Violence Program

Based in North Philadelphia, the Lutheran Settlement House Bilingual Domestic Violence Program (215-426-8610, Ext. 1282) offers individual counseling to all survivors, including men, teens, and children who have witnessed domestic violence. 

Counseling for adults and children, support groups, hotel placements for people in crisis, and transitional survivor housing is also available. 

Legal services

The Women Against Abuse Legal Center (215-686-7082), based in Center City, provides free legal advocacy and representation for survivors of domestic violence in Philadelphia. The center assists clients with a range of legal matters, including Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders, child custody, and child support cases.

In addition to direct legal services, the organization offers court advocacy and accompaniment for victims navigating Philadelphia Family Court and the city’s two criminal courtrooms dedicated to domestic violence cases.

Philadelphia Legal Assistance (215-981-3838), also located in Center City, offers free legal advice and representation to eligible low-income survivors of domestic violence. The organization helps clients with child custody and Protection From Abuse cases.

Survivors can access services through phone intake on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon, or by applying for help online. 

Victims compensation 

VCAP serves as a critical financial lifeline for people who have experienced crime victimization, including survivors of domestic violence. Each year, the program receives an average of 12,000 claims for eligible expenses. The most common claim types for individuals impacted by domestic violence are medical and counseling expenses, loss of earnings, funeral costs, relocation, and crime scene clean-up. 

Over the past five years, PCCD has paid more than 67,000 VCAP claims totaling $67 million in eligible expenses for citizens across all 67 Pennsylvania counties. 

Additional resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, free and confidential help is available 24/7. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text “START” to 88788, or find local domestic violence programs online at phila.gov

“It’s critical that we lift the voices of those impacted, educate communities, strengthen collaboration across state and local partners working to save lives,” said Kathy Buckley, Director of Victims’ Services for the state’s Commission on Crime and Delinquency. “By working together, we can ensure that every survivor knows they are not alone and that help, hope, and healing are within reach during each step of their journey.”