For advocates, survivors, & allies, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin (End Abuse) is the only statewide coalition led by social policy advocates, attorneys, & experts working to support, connect, equip, empower, & lead social change organizations to end domestic abuse – because everyone deserves dignity & safety.

Our work to end domestic violence is multifaceted. Since 1978, our coalition has grown and expanded in how we’ve been able to serve survivors and advocates around Wisconsin. Our support of survivors and direct service agencies remains constant, even as our initiatives change in response to the national anti-oppression landscape. As we center survivors in our work against domestic violence, we recognize our role in a larger anti-oppression movement.

Through advocacy and education, our member project the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) works every day to improve victim safety, increase abuser accountability, expand coordinated community response, and ultimately, put an end to abuse in later life. Visit their website to learn more.

Purpose

End Abuse exists to reduce and eliminate domestic violence, abuse and oppression, which destroy human dignity and liberty.

Mission

End Abuse promotes social change that transforms societal attitudes, practices and policies to prevent and eliminate domestic violence, abuse and oppression.

Vision

We envision communities fully mobilized to ensure the safety and dignity of all.

Values

Social Justice and Change: We value the dignity of every human being and are committed to taking an intersectional approach in understanding and addressing the root causes of racial, gendered, economic, and all other forms of oppression in the fight for equity and to end abuse.

Collaboration: Collaboration is vital to our work within the organization and with member programs and strategic partners. It is only through collaboration that the best resources, new and shifting perspectives, and true innovations are uncovered.

Empowerment: We are committed to supporting survivors, advocates, staff, individuals, and communities to reach their fullest potential, supporting and strengthening their voices at work and in their daily lives.

Dignity and Autonomy: Survivor dignity, safety, and autonomy are at the heart of all we do.

Leadership: We strive to serve as a model for survivor-centered and values-based organizational leadership. We adopt organizational policies or position statements that support our ideals of collaboration, social justice, and positive social change. We hold ourselves accountable for the commitments we make to ourselves, our colleagues, our partners, and the larger community of survivors.

History

End Abuse was founded in 1978 as the Wisconsin Coalition Against Woman Abuse by local domestic violence programs in Wisconsin. As was occurring in other states, volunteers in Wisconsin were meeting to discuss the need for a statewide advocacy organization that could play a central role in legislative advocacy on domestic abuse issues. Of equal importance was the perceived need for technical assistance and support to local communities that were starting to identify violence against women as a problem.