NCJ Number
57931
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
NUMEROUS PROGRAMS AND SHELTERS FOR BATTERED WIVES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN WISCONSIN THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF VOLUNTEER GROUPS. THESE SHELTERS HAVE NOT ONLY GIVEN A PLACE OF REFUGE, THEY HAVE INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS.
Abstract
CONCERNED GROUPS HAVE ALREADY ESTABLISHED PROGRAMS FOR BATTERED WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN IN MADISON, RACINE, MILWAUKEE, AND KENOSHA WHILE SELF-HELP GROUPS ARE FORMING IN WAUKESHA, GREEN BAY, ASHLAND, AND MANY MORE COMMUNITIES AROUND THE STATE. THESE GROUPS FIND THAT A CRISIS SHELTER IS ESSENTIAL. PLACING A VICTIM IN A PRIVATE HOME MAY BE THE ONLY RECOURSE AVAILABLE, BUT FAMILIES GIVING SHELTER OFTEN ARE UNAWARE THAT THIS MAY INVOLVE LEGAL PROBLEMS AND A RISK TO THEIR OWN SAFETY. A SHELTER OFFERS A MORE SECURE ENVIRONMENT, TRAINED STAFF CAN GIVE SUPPORTIVE HELP AND MOBILIZE OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO HELP THE WOMAN THROUGH HER CRISIS. ONCE A SHELTER BECOMES PART OF THE COMMUNITY, ITS STAFF COORDINATES WITH OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES AND THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE COMMUNITY IS RAISED. THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT SHOULD BE PASSED BECAUSE IT WOULD PROVIDE INITIAL FUNDING FOR SHELTERS, WOULD ESTABLISH A CLEARINGHOUSE TO HELP THOSE INTERESTED SECURE INFORMATION, AND WOULD BE A SOURCE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. FUNDING, INFORMATION, AND TECHNICAL AID ARE MAJOR PROBLEMS FOR GRASSROOTS EFFORTS. FOR RELATED ARTICLES, SEE NCJ 57922-57930 AND NJC 57932-57941. (GLR)