THE WOMENS CENTER INC
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Mission Statement
The mission of The Women’s Center is to provide safety, shelter, and support all impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse, and to facilitate their development.
About This Cause
In 1977, there was nowhere to turn for those in Waukesha County affected by interpersonal violence, and laws protecting victims did not exist. As a result, victims suffered in silence, with many enduring a lifetime of abuse and the lingering traumatic effects of sexual assault. Five Waukesha County women – our Founding Mothers – envisioned a community resource where women had a safe place to stay, heal, and learn with access to therapy, job training, and quality childcare. These five women took the courageous step to open our doors and publicly advocate for survivors long before it was acceptable to talk about domestic and sexual violence. The Women’s Center remains the only organization dedicated to this work in Waukesha County, spanning 580 square miles. With a budget of $2.5 million and 34 staff members, we operate the only 32-bed Emergency Shelter for survivors of sexual assault and domestic abuse in addition to our 24-hour Hotline, transitional living, individual advocacy, support groups, and free onsite childcare. Our wrap-around approach and ability to “meet a client where they are” ensures that the needs of survivors are met, children are protected, and families heal. Our programs and services are offered at no cost and are designed to provide a range of life-saving and life-changing services that help survivors build their own futures free from violence. The Need Domestic abuse, sexual violence, child abuse, and trafficking persist as crises in our community. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), nearly 20 people per minute suffer physical abuse from an intimate partner. Each year, Wisconsin reports more than 5,000 incidents of sexual assault, likely underreported. Milwaukee ranks among the top ten cities in the country for sex and labor trafficking, and Waukesha County has seen a 27% increase in Child Protective Service reports of child sexual abuse from 2019 to 2023. In 2022 alone, 96 people lost their lives to domestic violence-related incidents in Wisconsin, a 20% increase from 2021. Sexual and domestic violence have lasting effects, including chronic pain, mental health issues, substance abuse, disabilities, and death. These forms of violence often co-occur, compounding the trauma experienced by survivors and underscoring the need for a holistic and integrated response. The economic costs of domestic violence are substantial, estimated at over $657.8 million, impacting medical expenses and lost productivity. The costs of intimate partner violence against women exceed an estimated $5.8 billion across the country. These costs include nearly $4.1 billion in the direct costs of medical care and mental health care and nearly $1.8 billion in the indirect costs of lost productivity and lifetime earnings. Studies show that communities that do not provide comprehensive support services for those experiencing domestic or sexual violence result in victims remaining longer in their violent homes and being at greater risk of life-threatening injuries. By coming to our Emergency Shelter, survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence reduce their chances of homicide, on average, by 60%. Additionally, our on-call Advocates are ready to respond at all hours of the day to ensure survivors of sexual assault have immediate support and advocacy. Beyond crisis response and intervention, the experience and expertise of our staff and your support help survivors heal and achieve a more peaceful and participatory life in our community. Through our comprehensive programs and services, we help clients address the significant and numerous obstacles and barriers they face while prioritizing their physical and mental health, so they can ultimately live free from violence and abuse. To effectively address these crises, comprehensive programs and services are essential for survivors and our community. The Women’s Center is more important than ever as families struggle with tangled systems, hard-to-navigate resources, unsafe and unaffordable housing, lack of childcare, and mental and physical health challenges. As the only organization in Waukesha County working towards an engaged community that does not tolerate or accept interpersonal violence and providing abundant resources to ensure futures free from violence, we need your help.