The Milwaukee Post

By JOHN HOLMAN Special to The Post MILWAUKEE — The Wisconsin Governor's Council on Domestic Abuse and End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin last week released a long-term plan to maintain and expand services for Wisconsin's domestic violence victims. The Governor's Council and End Domestic Abuse formed a group to survey survivors, victims advocates and community partners. They based this plan, "Vision. Hope. Safety.," on 500 responses. It describes the state of services for domestic violence victims and urges invest- ment, at least meeting those of neighboring states, in community-based service providers. "The plan makes clear that domestic vio- lence is a statewide issue of pressing impor- tance," said Patti Seger, executive director of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. "Approximately half of the investment in domestic violence victim services comes from non-governmental sources, and much of this funding is from individual contribu- tors. "Now, we need both the public and private sectors to work to meet the full need, so that every victim and every child affected by domestic violence has a helping hand and the opportunity to be safe." Findings One in four Wisconsin women have been stalked, beaten or raped by an intimate part- ner, totaling more than 700,000 victims. Untreated domestic violence victims are increasingly at risk of becoming homicide victims. All but three Wisconsin counties have experienced at least one such case since 2000, with 499 domestic abuse-related homi- cides since then. "While close to 40,000 victims and chil- dren get lifesaving help every year, approxi- mately 250 requests for help from victims go unmet every day in Wisconsin because shel- ters and service providers do not have ade- quate capacity," said Renee Schulz-Stangl, chair of the Governor's Council on Domestic Abuse and director of a local service provider. Treatment can be costly, not only in terms of human capital, but also financially. The cost tends to increase the longer a victim goes untreated. "Abuse costs the state dozens of lives and millions of dollars each year," Schulz-Stangl said. "There are proven organizations throughout Wisconsin that help victims end ongoing violence. A relatively small invest- ment in services for victims will spare our communities the human and financial costs of unchecked abuse." The study found that every dollar invest- ed saves $9.25 in areas like property loss, health care costs and police responses, to name a few. But the Department of Children and Families continues to fall short in funding, especially for safety shelters. Last year, about 7,500 Wisconsinites found refuge in shelters, but over 3,000 requests received none because they lacked resources — that number does not include how many children would have accompanied those requests. Consequences ■ Long-term health: Abused women and children report poor- er long-term health than the non-abused, causing many to incur extensive health care costs for chronic conditions such as pelvic pain and central nervous system disorders due to ongoing abuse. ■ Child welfare: Children living in violent homes are at greater risk for child abuse. According to the study, 30 percent of children who witness domestic violence are also abused and more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors, have a lower quality of life, have physical and mental health problems and are consequent- ly more likely to lack health care or be enrolled in Medicaid programs. ■ Economy: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that every domestic assault against a woman results in her miss- ing an average of 7.2 work days. It is estimat- ed that prevention efforts prevent about 85,000 missed work days every year. ■ Education: Being exposed to domestic violence can negatively impact children's social and edu- cational development, including their abili- ties to concentrate and learn. They are also more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, according to the study. ■ Homelessness: The plan referenced studies of states neighboring Wisconsin that indicate domes- tic abuse is the cause behind about one-third of homeless women. Priorities and recommendations The study offers six priority areas, along with recommendations: ■ Maintain, strengthen and expand core services: The plan would invest $19.7 million annu- ally into core services. This would expand core services to provide victims with afford- able housing and economic empowerment, as well as treat the mental health effects of trauma. ■ Enhance services and prevention edu- cation for children: The plan suggests passing legislation to promote teen dating violence prevention education to inform teens of options for help and assist them in receiving support. It also recommends dedicating sustainable funding to promote teen dating violence services and prevention activities in Wisconsin. ■ Strengthen outreach and education to Wisconsin communities: Encourage efforts at the community level to raise awareness and promote prevention activities to support domestic violence vic- tim service providers. "There are families who are suffering and traumatized, but are not getting help because they are not aware of the services available," said Angela Mancuso, executive director of The Women's Center in Waukesha. ■ Expand programming that is communi- ty-driven in culturally specific and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities: Support services for culturally specific and underrepresented populations. ■ Address civil legal needs of domestic violence victims and their children: At a minimum, fund civil legal services at a rate comparable with other Midwestern states — there is currently no such funding in Wisconsin. ■ Focus on promising strategies and prac- tices: Prevent domestic violence homicides through the collaborative strategies of risk assessment, improved coordination and intensive services. 12 • Milwaukee County Post • September 5, 2014 New statewide plan to combat domestic abuse Study suggests 1 in 4 Wisconsin women have been victims GRACE KNOW CHRIST MAKE HIM KNOWN GATHER GROW&SOW Contemporary Worship - 8am Bible Study and Sunday School - 9:15am Traditional Worship - 10:30am Welcome To Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church 3030 W. 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