Following the May 16, 2024 press conference in which state lawmakers, advocates, and victims’ family members called again for the creation of a task force on missing and murdered African American women and girls in Wisconsin, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin (End Abuse) announced its unwavering support of this proposed legislation and applauds Representative Shelia Stubbs’ calls for action and justice.

According to a 2022 investigation by the Guardian, Wisconsin has the highest homicide rate for Black women and girls. The same report found that in 2020, there was a 33% increase in the homicide rate for Black women and girls in the U.S; that same year, the rate in Wisconsin doubled. The proposed task force would examine contributing factors to violence, improve investigations, develop strategies to prevent violence, and support impacted families.

“Nationally,” said End Abuse Executive Director Monique Minkens, “Black women are 6 times more likely to be killed than white women. Let that sink in: six times more likely to be murdered, and our state is particularly violent for Black women and girls. Our lawmakers are responsible for addressing this epidemic of racialized violence against our sisters, neighbors, mothers, and friends.”

In Wisconsin, Black women are 20 times more likely to die by homicide than White women, and Black women are more likely than White women to be killed by guns.  The issue is exacerbated by disproportionate coverage of these murders, which limits public awareness and calls for accountability. By some accounts, the press is 4 times more likely to report on white missing persons cases in comparison to cases where a Black or brown person is missing.

A bill (AB615) to create this taskforce passed in the state Assembly in February 2024, but despite bipartisan support, failed to make it to the Senate floor for a vote. Attorney General Josh Kaul has the ability to create the proposed MMAAWG task force without a Senate vote.

“To ignore this racialized epidemic,” said Minkens, “is to participate in the violence. Don’t look away. This task force is a step in the direction of saving lives.”

For those experiencing domestic or sexual violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1−800−799−7233) and the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673) are available 24/7 for support. A list of local Wisconsin domestic violence victim service providers can be found at www.endabusewi.org/get-help. A list of local WI sexual assault victim service providers can be found at www.wcasa.org/survivors/service-providers. A list of local WI Black and Brown culturally-specific domestic violence and sexual assault victim resources can be found at www.bbwpcoalition.org/resources-in-wi.

Note to Media:

We encourage reporters to include the National Domestic Violence Hotline [1−800−799−SAFE (7233)] and the National Sexual Assault Hotline [1-800-656-4673] in their stories for victims who need help. A list of local Wisconsin domestic violence victim service providers can be found at www.endabusewi.org/get-help. A list of local WI sexual assault victim service providers can be found at www.wcasa.org/survivors/service-providers. A list of local WI Black and Brown culturally-specific domestic violence and sexual assault victim resources can be found at www.bbwpcoalition.org/resources-in-wi

End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (End Abuse, www.endabusewi.org) is the leading voice for victims of domestic abuse in Wisconsin. At End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, we educate shelter and program volunteers and advocates, law enforcement, legislators, and community members to provide safety and support to survivors. We strive to shift Wisconsin from the attitudes and beliefs that cause domestic violence to values of mutual respect and equity, and we partner with communities in the effort to prevent and end domestic abuse.