Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically. If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, you need immediate help. Below are a few resources to help you recover from domestic violence and receive legal help.
Domestic Violence Recovery Resources in Wisconsin
There are a number of resources for domestic violence recovery in Wisconsin. The most important thing is that you receive the help you need.
The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families provides this list and links for domestic abuse resources:
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline: A 24-hour, national, toll-free telephone hotline that provides assistance and information to victims of domestic abuse. You can call 1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224 or (206) 518-9361 (Video Phone Only for Deaf Callers).
- The National Dating Abuse Helpline: A national, 24-hour resource specifically designed for teens and young adults, accessible by phone or internet. You can call 1-866-331-9474 (toll-free).
- The Hmong Family Strengthening Helpline: A bilingual (Hmong-English) 24-hour helpline that provides support, contact, and referrals to anyone experiencing violence and abuse. You can call 1-877-740-4292 (toll-free).
- The Deaf Unity Helpline: Assists deaf and hard-of-hearing persons experiencing violence and abuse. Contact Deaf Unity by email at help@deafunitywi.org or by text at (608) 466-2881.
- End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The statewide membership organization representing domestic abuse victim service providers and survivors.
- The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence: A comprehensive source of information for those wanting to educate themselves and help others on the many issues related to domestic violence.
- The Asian and Pacific Islander Institute on Gender Based Violence: A national resource center on domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking, and other forms of gender-based violence in Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
- The Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community (IDVAAC): An organization focused on the unique circumstances of members of the African Diaspora as they face issues related to domestic violence – including intimate partner violence, child abuse, elder maltreatment, and community violence.
- The National Latin@ Network for Healthy Families and Communities: A project of Casa de Esperanza. It is the national institute on domestic violence focusing on Latin@ communities.
All of these resources are free and are available for you to use at almost any hour. For further information about these resources, check out the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families website or click any of the links for these resources.
Legal Help for Domestic Violence Recovery
Protecting yourself and your loved ones from domestic abuse should be your first priority. Unfortunately, in many cases of domestic abuse, the situation can be complicated and will likely require legal action.
For 72 hours after the arrest for a domestic abuse incident, the arrested person must avoid the alleged victim’s home or other places he/she may be and avoid contacting the person (that is if the arrested person has been released from jail). Intentionally violating the 72-hour no-contact rule can be punished by a fine of no more than $10,000 or no more than 9 months imprisonment, or both.
A restraining order is one of the ways you can protect yourself. Having a protection order in place allows you to call the police if your abuser contacts you or stalks you in violation of the order. He or she will also be arrested for those violations.
If your case is taken to court, you will need a compassionate and experienced attorney on your side. Having someone who understands your situation and Wisconsin law will help your recovery process.
Contact Criminal Defense Attorney King Tse
Criminal defense attorney King Tse will sit down with you to talk about your case and help you know what kind of outcome you should expect and what the process will be like. King cares about each of his clients and will work diligently to get you the best outcome for your case. Connect with King today to set up a consultation.
