domestic violence

The shooting deaths of four teenagers and a 41-year-old in a Milwaukee home on Monday left people feeling heartbroken. Police are still investigating and haven’t released many details, but a suspect with a history of domestic violence charges is in custody.

Milwaukee County officials say there had been an uptick in domestic violence before the COVID-19 pandemic. But as people have been urged to stay home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, cases have been rising.

While Wisconsin is under a safer-at-home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the home may not be a safe place for people living with domestic violence and abuse. 

National statistics indicate that nearly one in five women have experienced rape or attempted rape at some point in their lives.

While April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, The Women’s Center of Waukesha works year-round to bring greater awareness to sexual violence and the efforts being made to combat it. The 40-year-old center serves women, children and men impacted by domestic abuse, sexual violence, child abuse and trafficking.

A few years ago, author Paul McComas and singer-songwriter Maya Kuper created Unplugged: A Survivor’s Story in Scenes and Songs. It’s based on Paul’s novel of the same name. The show uses original songs and spoken-word performance to tell the story of Dayna Clay, a fictional 27-year-old rock musician and survivor of sexual assault. 

Last year, the number of people who lost their lives to domestic violence in Wisconsin fell -  from 55 to 43. Yet those involved in fighting the problem vow to remain vigilant.

People gathered at Milwaukee City Hall Monday to show solidarity with people still suffering. Each marcher wore an orange t-shirt reading “say no to violence against women.”

They staged a walk for peace downtown and then gathered inside Milwaukee City Hall to remember last year’s victims of domestic violence.  While men’s names are on the list, much of Monday’s gathering focused on women.

The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee is working to become a national leader in helping domestic violence victims.

The new facility will be the largest of its kind in the country - housing a variety of organizations that support victims of domestic violence and their families.

Law enforcement officers across Milwaukee County spent the past couple days learning how to better handle cases of domestic violence.

La Causa’s Crisis Nursery and Respite Center, on Milwaukee’s near south side, offers parents a free place to leave their children, in emergency situations.

A divide between the insured and the poor may be opening up in the cost of services for domestic abuse victims.