Thursday, Oct. 17 was Purple Thursday in Milwaukee, a day to stand in solidarity with survivors and honor those who lost their lives to domestic violence.
Domestic violence prevention advocates gathered at Missing Peace Community Collective, 3428 W. Brown St., to talk about how.
According to the 2023 Domestic Abuse Wisconsin Homicide Report, 85 individuals in the state died in domestic violence incidents last year, including 28 in Milwaukee County.
Sixty-five percent of domestic violence homicides in the state involved the use of firearms. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the U.S.
A woman looks at a poster featuring photos of domestic violence homicide victims from Milwaukee County. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
Domestic violence resources in Milwaukee:
Name: Hmong American Women’s Association
Phone: 414-930-9352
Address: 3030 W. Highland Ave.
What it does: The first and only Hmong women’s organization in the state, HAWA dedicates its resources to the advancement of Hmong women and girls. It offers culturally appropriate services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Name: HIR Wellness
Phone: 414-763-5815
Address: 3136 W. Kilbourn Ave.
What it does: The organization is a survivor and women-led organization that provides care to victims of crime and violence through a Community Activated Medicine Framework and Intergenerational Healing Approach.
Name: Diverse & Resilient Room to Be Safe Program
Phone or Text: 414-856-LGBT
What it does: The Room to Be Safe anti-violence program serves LGBTQ survivors of violence (e.g., intimate partner, sexual, hate violence, bullying, as well as religious, police, and state-sanctioned violence) throughout Wisconsin.
Name: UMOS Latina Resource Center
Phone: 414-389-6500
Address: 2701 S. Chase Ave., Suite D
What it does: The UMOS Latina Resource Center provides comprehensive and holistic supportive services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. The center serves all genders, races, ethnicities and age groups.
Name: Milwaukee Women’s Center
Phone: 414-671-6140
What it does: The center provides services that deal with family violence, providing a 24-hour domestic violence crisis line, older abused women’s program, a family support center emergency shelter and a treatment program for batterers.
Name: Sojourner Family Peace Center
Phone: 414-276-1911
Address: 619 W. Walnut St.
What it does: The center works to ensure the safety of victims of family violence and provides a pathway out of violence for victims and abusers through opportunities to make positive and lasting changes for themselves and their children.
Name: Our Peaceful Home
Phone: 414-727-1090 (crisis line) 414-727-4900 (main)
Address: 5235 S. 27th St.
What it does: The Our Peaceful Home is a domestic abuse project of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition (MMWC). The program provides culturally specific family peace services for Muslim families.
Name: Milwaukee LGBT Community Center
Phone: 414-271-2656
Address: 315 W. Court St.
What it does: The center provides assistance to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community who have experienced or otherwise been impacted by intimate partner violence, sexual assault and abuse, stalking, physical assault, harassment, bullying, bias-related incidents, hate crimes and other forms of violence by advocating on their behalf, encouraging and assisting with crime reporting and accompanying crime victims to medical exams or court appearances if requested.
Name: Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers
Age: 414-897-5630
Address: 1032 S. Cesar E. Chavez Drive.
What it does: The centers’ Social Services Department offers help and assistance for those experiencing domestic violence.
Name: Alma Center
Phone: 414-265-0100
Address: 2821 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave., Third Floor
What it does: The Alma Center works locally and nationally to break the cycle of domestic violence in families by changing abusive men.
Name: The Asha Project
Phone: 414-252-0075
Address: 3719 W. Center St.
What it does: The Asha Project is a domestic and sex trafficking prevention organization specializing in African American culturally specific services.
Name: The Women’s Center
Phone: 262-542-3828 (24 hour hotline)
What it does: Based in Waukesha, the center works with adult and child survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and trafficking. Programs include: emergency crisis shelter, transitional living apartments, free onsite child care. Programs are offered in Spanish, and translation in any language provided. All programs are offered at no cost and open to survivors from any community around the state and beyond. All genders are welcome.
Name: Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center (GLIIHC)
Phone: 414-383-9526
Address: 930 W. Historic Mitchell St.
What it does: The Behavioral Health Department’s Circle of Strength Program staff utilizes a culturally responsive, trauma-informed approach for the prevention and treatment of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, or if you are unsure if you are experiencing any form of abuse or maltreatment, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for help. If you are in immediate danger, dial 911.
Name: Kids Matter Inc.
Phone: 414-344-1220
Address: 1850 N. MLK Jr Drive #202
What it does: The organization helps abused and neglected children heal and thrive while also providing support to foster and kinship children to help prevent further child abuse.
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