The Leadership Circle is a group comprised of members from the under-served populations of WI who have shown experience and dedication to the healing of victims of domestic and sexual abuse. Facilitated by the Danny Ho, the group meets quarterly at various locations within Wisconsin to share their experiences, concerns, and latest initiatives in partnership with each other and End Abuse’s programming and staff. In addition, the Leadership Circle is encouraged to develop their own projects as a group that will complement their mission: “To identify societal issues and disparities that support oppression and to provide ideas to restore all affected by domestic violence.”

The LGBTQ Committee is a statewide committee comprised of individuals who self-identify as LGBTQ and allies that work directly with LGBTQ victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and hook up violence. Their mission to raise awareness through prevention and education, giving voice to people who are marginalized based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation whose lives have been affected by all violence, including sexual, domestic, and intimate partner.

For more information go to LGBTQ Committee Overview or contact Cody Warner codyw@endabusewi.org or Angie Rehling angier@wcasa.org

The LGBTQ Committee is a statewide committee comprised of individuals who self-identify as LGBTQ and allies that work directly with LGBTQ victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and hook up violence. Their mission to raise awareness through prevention and education, giving voice to people who are marginalized based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation whose lives have been affected by all violence, including sexual, domestic, and intimate partner.

For more information go to LGBTQ Committee Overview or contact Cody Warner codyw@endabusewi.org or Angie Rehling angier@wcasa.org

Created by the Access Committee of the Governor’s Council, this Anti-Oppression Manual for domestic abuse programs in Wisconsin was created to help explore ways in which an anti-oppression framework can be applied to our work on a daily basis to end domestic violence.

View/Download Manual

Between 2009 and 2011, we created outreach specifically to support Hmong and Southeast Asian Refugee Family Strengthening programs using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Located throughout WI, RFSP’s address specific needs of refugee communities and help refugees maintain self-sufficiency by addressing family violence through prevention, education, and intervention. This list includes RFSPs for Hmong, Cambodian, and Russian refugees.

Data show that African American women victims are over-represented as recipients of local domestic violence program services in WI, and in the rates of intimate partner homicide, both as victims and as perpetrators. During 2012 and 2013, End Abuse held a series of focus groups to amplify the voices of the women whose stories were behind the statistics. African American women survivors of domestic abuse shared their experiences, opinions, and ideas during these meetings.

We learned through our discussions with these women that they greatly appreciate the work of local domestic violence agencies. We also heard how profoundly their stories were shaped by the legacy of historical trauma, institutional racism, and discrimination, and for some women, chronic and acute poverty. Read the full report for more information about this critical issue.

View/Download Manual

A 2023 study from The Asha Project, an initiative with the state coalition End Domestic Abuse WI, recently found that trauma and systemic inequities, such as economic stress and financial challenges, are among key factors that lead Black men to commit acts against their female partners.

The study is part of the organization’s Saving Our Sisters and Saving Ourselves (SOS) public awareness campaign, which focuses on reducing domestic and intimate partner violence and related homicides committed against Black women, who represent the largest group losing their lives. The campaign utilizes the universal distress signal “SOS” and social media messaging to alert the community of services and resources available for Black men who may be struggling with depression, anger, and anxiety in relationships as well as a history of trauma.

The SOS campaign is guided by Dr. William Oliver, a content expert researcher at the University of Indiana, who conducted focus groups with Black males in Milwaukee. The focus groups were crafted to enhance understanding of how men who reside in inner-city neighborhoods in Milwaukee view the causes, justifications, and consequences of domestic violence and community violence in neighborhoods experiencing the highest rates of fatal and non-fatal violence.

The full report can be found here: SOS Campaign Report. For more information on The Asha Project and to download the report, visit ashafamilyservices.org.

Collaborating for over a decade with Disability Rights Wisconsin, Deaf Unity, and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault to support appropriate and effective services for people with disabilities and Deaf who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Sharing Our Work, Sharing Our World – Webinar 1

This webinar begins the series Bridging Tribal and Non-Tribal Advocacy, presented together by American Indians Against Abuse, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, WCASA, and the WI Department of Children and Families. This series of five webinars share the often unrecognized and unique dynamics of the eleven tribal areas in Wisconsin that address the issues of family violence, sexual assault, missing and murdered indigenous women, human trafficking, and domestic abuse.

With a focus on awareness and sharing, each webinar brings together knowledge and techniques to complement the tribal and nontribal programs that respond to violence.  Our partner-based initiative will examine legal, historical, and cultural differences to promote understanding, community-based partnerships, and shared growth with the purpose of keeping victims, survivors, and their families safe while encouraging all of our communities to thrive.

Historical Trauma: The Effects of Unresolved Grief in Native Wisconsin – Webinar 2

This webinar provides a revealing examination of cultural trauma responses of Native Americans in Wisconsin. It offers a multi-tribal and personal overview, including tragedy and resilience, with guest presenters appearing alongside CJ Doxtater, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin’s former Aging and Outreach Director.

Cultural Communications – Webinar 3

We cannot proceed without noting the loss of CJ Doxtater. Some of us have known him for many years and some of us met him only recently and more briefly.  For anyone who did not know of CJ’s passing, we share the sad news and his beautiful obituary: Cleveland “CJ” Doxtater, 71, Allouez, began his spirit walk after Covid 19 on Wednesday November 4, 2020. Read more at this link. We found that Eagle Poem by Joy Harjo speaks to our memory of CJ. CJ’s spirit was at the heart of Bridging Tribal and Nontribal Advocacy, and a dedication of this series to him is part of our experience together in this webinar.

This webinar examines the difficulties in understanding and communicating from varied cultural standpoints. Issues that may confuse or interfere with the healing intent of domestic abuse, sexual assault and shelter programs will be considered. We include a question and answer session with panelists Eileen Hudon, Corrine Sanchez of Tewa Women United, and Alice Skenandore of Wise Women Gathering Place, all of whom are experienced in bridging tribal and nontribal advocacy.

Since 2000, working closely with tribal programs around the state in addition to enjoying a close relationship with the statewide tribal coalition, American Indians Against Abuse. Below, find webinar recordings relating to this work.

A note about the Bridging Tribal and Non-Tribal Advocacy Series

These webinars comprise the series Bridging Tribal and Non-Tribal Advocacy, presented together by American Indians Against Abuse, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, WCASA, and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. This series of five Zoom Webinars shared the often unrecognized and unique dynamics of the eleven tribal areas in Wisconsin that address the issues of family violence, sexual assault, missing and murdered indigenous women, human trafficking, and domestic abuse.  With a focus on awareness and sharing, each webinar brought together knowledge and techniques to complement the tribal and nontribal programs that respond to violence.  Our partner-based initiative examined legal, historical, and cultural differences to promote understanding, community-based partnerships, and shared growth with the purpose of keeping victims, survivors and their families safe while encouraging all of our communities to thrive.

During this project we lost our dear friend and colleague, C.J. Doxtater. This series is dedicated to C.J., who put his heart into building bridges, bringing people together to do the work for survivors and communities.

Click here to view the webinar

Our fourth webinar in the Bridging Tribal and Non-Tribal Advocacy series focuses on the legal aspects of the challenges of Native American survivors in the legal/court context. Discussion on jurisdictional challenges, Federal Recognition and enrollment status, and Public Law 280 assists in informing non-tribal programs in ways to best assist their Native American clients. The National Tribal Trial College Court Advocacy Program is also highlighted to look at successful tribal court litigation by trained advocates.

Handouts:

Transcript

Since 2000, working closely with tribal programs around the state in addition to enjoying a close relationship with the statewide tribal coalition, American Indians Against Abuse. Below, find webinar recordings relating to this work.

A note about the Bridging Tribal and Non-Tribal Advocacy Series

These webinars comprise the series Bridging Tribal and Non-Tribal Advocacy, presented together by American Indians Against Abuse, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, WCASA, and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. This series of five Zoom Webinars shared the often unrecognized and unique dynamics of the eleven tribal areas in Wisconsin that address the issues of family violence, sexual assault, missing and murdered indigenous women, human trafficking, and domestic abuse.  With a focus on awareness and sharing, each webinar brought together knowledge and techniques to complement the tribal and nontribal programs that respond to violence.  Our partner-based initiative examined legal, historical, and cultural differences to promote understanding, community-based partnerships, and shared growth with the purpose of keeping victims, survivors and their families safe while encouraging all of our communities to thrive.

During this project we lost our dear friend and colleague, C.J. Doxtater. This series is dedicated to C.J., who put his heart into building bridges, bringing people together to do the work for survivors and communities.

Click here to view webinar

In this webinar that took place during National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, American Indians Against Abuse, End Domestic Abuse WI, the WI Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the WI Office of Crime Victim Services, and the OVC Human Trafficking Capacity building Center/ National Center for Victims of Crime Tribal Resource Center offered this collaboration in which presenters outline human trafficking case studies involving survivors from American Indian/Alaska Native communities, discuss collaborative approaches, and share resources to assist survivors. Brief updates from Wisconsin are shared, as well.

Handouts:

Transcript

Since 2000, working closely with tribal programs around the state in addition to enjoying a close relationship with the statewide tribal coalition, American Indians Against Abuse. Below, find webinar recordings relating to this work.

A note about the Bridging Tribal and Non-Tribal Advocacy Series

These webinars comprise the series Bridging Tribal and Non-Tribal Advocacy, presented together by American Indians Against Abuse, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, WCASA, and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. This series of five Zoom Webinars shared the often unrecognized and unique dynamics of the eleven tribal areas in Wisconsin that address the issues of family violence, sexual assault, missing and murdered indigenous women, human trafficking, and domestic abuse.  With a focus on awareness and sharing, each webinar brought together knowledge and techniques to complement the tribal and nontribal programs that respond to violence.  Our partner-based initiative examined legal, historical, and cultural differences to promote understanding, community-based partnerships, and shared growth with the purpose of keeping victims, survivors and their families safe while encouraging all of our communities to thrive.

During this project we lost our dear friend and colleague, C.J. Doxtater. This series is dedicated to C.J., who put his heart into building bridges, bringing people together to do the work for survivors and communities.

The Leadership Institute is an annual conference by and for advocates and activists of color in Wisconsin. It is a safe space for folks that identify as people of color who work, volunteer, or intern in domestic violence, sexual assault, or similar fields of gender-based violence work. This conference is intended to be a safe space specifically for people of color both adult and .

Contact Danny Ho dannyh@endabusewi.org for more information.

***The LGBTQ training is being updated for a virtual setting more information coming soon!***

The LGBTQ Committee provides free, 8-hour trainings for member programs of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Member programs may also invite their collaborating partners to have the training more multidisciplinary focused. This training is meant to provide a basic understanding of the LGBTQ community and how intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and hook up violence affect this community. Then the training moves into practical applications and next steps to support LGBTQ victims and survivors that you serve.

The LGBTQ training’s typical layout is:

• Visualization exercise
• LGBTQ movement historical perspective
• Breakdown of LGBTQ and sex, gender, & attraction
• Intimate Partner Violence & Sexual Assault in this community
• Reflective exercises to start thinking about safety and stigma in this community
• Work-related scenarios
• Community readiness/Pride survey data
• Action planning

To learn more about the LGBTQ training go HERE. 

***The LGBTQ training is being updated for a virtual setting more information coming soon!***

To request a training go HERE.

Survivors from LGBTQ+ & HIV Affected Communities – August 2024

Resources: Transcript| Certificate of Completion

Beyond the Headlines: Examining the Root Causes of Anti-Trans Violence – August 2023

Recording: English

Recording: Spanish

Resources: Transcript| Presentation Slides | Certificate of Completion | Resource Links

Understanding and Affirming LGBTQ Survivors: Inclusive Advocacy for Domestic Violence Program Staff – June 2022

Resources: Transcript | Presentation Slides | Certificate of Completion | Client Intake Form

Surviving with Wild Tongues Film and Discussion – December 2021

Resources: Transcript | Certificate of Completion

Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth Facing Family Violence – 8/19/2020

Resources: Transcript | PowerPoint | Certificate of Completion | Resource List

Additional Resources: 2019 MKE Pride data (pdf) | 2019 WI Youth Risk Behavior Survey Summary Report | For additional image files that can be used in presentations, reach out to Diverse & Resilient at www.roomtobesafe.org/contact-us/

Welcoming LGBTQ Survivors with Open Hearts & Open Doors in Shelter – 9/20/2019

Resources: Transcript | PowerPoint | Certificate of Completion | Resource List | Out & Equal Best Practices for Non-binary Inclusion in the Workplace | DAIS Protocol for Screening Potential DV Perpetrators – Updated 2017

LGBTQ Abuse in Later Life – 6/27/2018

Resources: Transcript | PowerPoint with Notes | Certificate of Completion

Violence in the LGBTQ Community and its Impact on Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence – 6/8/2017

Resources: Certificate of Completion | Transcript

Serving LGBTQ Youth Victims and Survivors – 6/1/2016

Resources: Completion Certificate

WE LEAD is a free, nine-month leadership academy which focuses on building new voices of leadership within the movement to end gender-based violence by providing hands-on leadership development opportunities for survivors of violence and/or people from Wisconsin’s underserved or under-represented communities. WE LEAD participants:

• Learn about theories & practices of the prevention & intervention of gender-based violence, including its root causes of oppression, power & privilege;
• Build & enhance their skill & capacity as leaders & agents of change;
• Become a part of a group of socially conscious advocates & ally leaders committed to ending gender-based violence through new & innovative ways;
• Network with fellow advocates throughout the state

Learn more about and apply for the 2024-25 cohort here!

Contact Danny Ho dannyh@endabusewi.org with questions.