What is Domestic Violence?

The abuse, mental or physical, of once person by another person with whom the abused has a significant and intimate relationship.

Domestic Violence can occur in relationships whether the couple:

• Is living together or not
• Is married, divorced, separated or not married
• Has children or not
• Is a heterosexual or homosexual couple

Domestic Violence can include any or all of the following categories:

• Physical – beating, hitting, shoving
• Verbal/Emotional – swearing, threats, humiliation, playing mind games
• Sexual – forcing sex or unwanted sexual acts
• Economic – having to ask for money, taking money, giving an allowance

Help and support for you

The Crawford County Domestic Abuse Project will provide the advocate to help you. An advocate is a volunteer who will help you by offering personal support when and where it is needed. To reach an advocate, call the Helpline – 1-888-200-8426. Our helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How can an advocate assist you?

• Help you explore options such as shelter, counseling, refer you to community resources
• Assist you in making decisions about how to protect yourself
• Explain the limitations of the legal system and what is required of you
• Provide moral support and accompany you to the District Attorney’s Office, Human Services and other agencies
• Assist you in finding ongoing support through groups working with battered women

Support and help for your children

Children often suffer emotionally or psychologically from living in a home where there is violence. They may also be physically or sexually abused or at risk for abuse. Children may live in terror of violence because they see their mother hit or kicked or verbally abused.

Children who see their mothers beaten feel sorry for them, but children may also blame her for not defending herself or leaving.

If you are a victim, your children also need help. Talk to your advocate about how the violence has affected your children and how the children can be helped.

The problem…

• Every 18 seconds a woman is beaten in the U.S.
• 50% of U.S. marriage contain some form of abuse
• 80% of abusers were raised in violent homes
• 40% of female homicides are committed by the male partner
• 25% of female suicide attempts result from domestic abuse
• 50% of injuries to women reported in emergency rooms resulted from abuse
• For every 1 beating reported, 6 to 10 go unreported

The Crawford County Domestic Abuse Project

Financial support for this project is provided by a grant from the State of Wisconsin Division of Community Services and local donations.

For more information

If you have questions about the Crawford County Domestic Abuse Program or are interested in support groups, call the Project Coordinator in Prairie du Chien weekdays at: 608-326-1616.