WIN Victim Services began in 1976, established by a group of concerned citizens who had become aware of the lack of services available to victims of rape in Franklin County. They formed what was initially called the Chambersburg Area Rape Crisis Center; a volunteer hotline service. In the organization’s first year, 6 volunteers provided crisis intervention and advocacy services to 16 victims of sexual violence.

In 1977, the agency incorporated and changed its name to Women in Need, Inc. (WIN Victim Services). A grant from CETA allowed WIN Victim Services to create two salaried positions to support the hotline volunteers. This grant also enabled WIN Victim Services to expand the program to serve not only victims of rape but also victims of domestic violence. Information, education, and counseling services were provided to clients to support their journey from victim to survivor.

Over three decades later, WIN Victim Services outgrew its building in downtown Chambersburg and piloted a capital campaign to build a brand new office building on Progress Road. In 2015, the new building was constructed and opened to the public.

Today, WIN Victim Services is a multi-service, private, non-profit corporation, serving approximately 1,500 victims per year. Services are confidential and provided free of charge to any victim of sexual and/or domestic violence: 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, medical advocacy, and preventative education. WIN Victim Services also operates a legal office and acts as the project manager for the Franklin County Victim Witness Services Program.