Household Abuse Victims Emergency Network
Support Services for Survivors of Abuse
HAVEN, Inc. provides free, confidential support for survivors of interpersonal abuse in Lincoln County. Since 1979, HAVEN has helped individuals and families find safety, support, and resources during difficult and dangerous situations.
Abuse can affect anyone. HAVEN is here to help without judgment.
All services are provided free of charge, regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, disability, arrest or conviction record, sexual orientation, or sexual identity.
Domestic Abuse Support
Domestic abuse, also called domestic violence, is a pattern of behavior used by one intimate partner to gain or maintain power and control over another. Abuse can be emotional, verbal, psychological, spiritual, economic, physical, or sexual.
Domestic abuse is never the victim's fault. The person causing harm is responsible for their actions.
Abuse does not always leave visible injuries. A person can be experiencing abuse even if there are no scars or bruises. Some abusive behaviors may include:
- Telling someone they can never do anything right
- Showing extreme jealousy toward family or friends
- Accusing someone of cheating
- Isolating someone from loved ones
- Embarrassing or shaming someone with put-downs
- Controlling money or access to basic needs
- Controlling who someone sees, where they go, or what they do
- Preventing someone from making their own decisions
- Threatening to harm, kill, or take away children
- Intimidating someone with weapons
- Destroying property or harming pets
- Dictating how someone dresses
- Stalking or monitoring someone
HAVEN provides support, safety planning, advocacy, and resources for people experiencing domestic abuse. If you feel trapped in a cycle of control, fear, or harm, you are not alone.
Support, Safety, & Advocacy
Sexual Abuse Support
Sexual abuse and sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, relationship status, or background. Sexual abuse includes any unwanted sexual contact, pressure, coercion, or behavior that makes a person feel unsafe, violated, or forced.
Survivors may experience confusion, fear, shame, anger, or isolation after sexual abuse. These responses are common, and support is available.
HAVEN provides sexual assault services for victims and survivors of sexual abuse and assault. Support may include emotional support, safety planning, individual counseling, advocacy, referrals, and help understanding available options.
You do not have to go through the healing process alone. HAVEN offers a safe place to talk, receive support, and connect with resources.
Contact HAVEN today for trusted solutions.
Compassionate support is available when you are ready to reach out.
Survivor Resource
SEEK THEN SPEAK
SEEK THEN SPEAK is a tool for sexual assault survivors and support people.
In SEEK, you can privately gather information and explore your options for medical care, supportive services, and reporting to police.
If you choose, you can begin the process of reporting to the police by completing a self-guided interview in SPEAK.
Confidential PDF Process
Information provided in SPEAK will be stored confidentially for 30 days. When you complete the questions, download the PDF onto your device and save it for later, email it to yourself or someone you trust, or print it out. The completed PDF can be given to the police if you decide to make a report.
This app is designed for survivors aged 18 and older because laws can differ significantly for people under 18. Support people can be beneficial for growth, but reporting should always be completed by the survivor.
SEEK THEN SPEAK is brought to you by End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI).
Trafficking Support
Trafficking happens when someone is forced, pressured, manipulated, or controlled for the purpose of exploitation. This can include sexual exploitation, labor exploitation, or other forms of abuse and control.
Trafficking may involve threats, intimidation, isolation, financial control, manipulation, violence, or fear. A person experiencing trafficking may not always be able to leave safely or ask for help openly.
HAVEN supports individuals who are experiencing exploitation, control, or abuse related to trafficking. Services may include safety planning, emotional support, shelter options, advocacy, referrals, and help connecting with additional resources.
If something feels unsafe or someone is controlling where you go, who you talk to, how you work, or what happens to your body, HAVEN can help you talk through your situation and explore safe next steps.
Get Help Now: (715) 536-1300 About HAVEN, Inc.Legal Advocacy and Criminal Justice Support
HAVEN can help survivors understand their legal options and receive support during court or criminal justice processes.
Legal advocacy services may include:
- Information and assistance with petitioning the court for a temporary restraining order
- Referrals to Legal Action of Wisconsin and local attorneys
- Information and assistance with petitions for legal separation, divorce, and other family matters
- Support in making a criminal complaint
- Support and information about the criminal process
- Court accompaniment for legal matters
Services Provided by HAVEN, Inc.
HAVEN offers a wide range of support services for survivors and their families, including:
- 24-hour shelter for victims and their children
- Support and encouragement
- Safety planning
- Individual counseling
- Information and referrals to other resources
- Assistance with housing, child care, and employment needs
- Advocacy with other agencies and resources
- Support groups
- Legal advocacy and criminal justice support
- Community outreach for individuals who do not use shelter services
- Children's programming
- Sexual assault services for victims and survivors
- Community education
Questions & Answers
FAQ: Domestic Abuse, Sexual Abuse, & Trafficking
Intake process must be completed with an advocate – please call and speak with an advocate.
Sexual assault is any sexual contact or behavior that happens without consent.
This can include unwanted touching, pressure, or coercion, or forced sexual activity.
It can happen between strangers, but most often it involves someone the person knows or trusts.
You don’t have to have all the answers to reach out. If something felt wrong, confusing, or upsetting, you deserve support.
No. You can talk to an advocate, get medical care, or explore your options without making a police report.
Your privacy matters. HAVEN is completely confidential.
It’s completely understandable to want swift action and a sense of safety after what you’ve experienced. The legal process can take time and doesn’t always move as quickly as we might hope.
In some cases, an arrest may be made soon after a report. However, whether someone is taken into custody—and how long they remain there—depends on several factors, including the evidence available and the court’s decisions about release conditions. It’s possible that the person may be released while the case is ongoing.
Courts often put protections in place, such as no-contact orders, to help support your safety during this time. Even so, the process can feel slow and uncertain.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Advocates and support services can help you understand what to expect, explore your options, and focus on your safety and well-being throughout the process.
Yes, HAVEN supports anyone who has been impacted by abuse.
No, all services are free of charge.
We Can Help
Are You Experiencing Abuse?
You do not need visible injuries to be experiencing abuse. Abuse happens when someone uses harmful behaviors to create fear, gain control, or take away another person's freedom and safety.
Those who are victimized can be men, women, non-binary individuals, or children. Abuse can also affect secondary victims, including loved ones, family members, and children who witness abuse.
Those who abuse can come from any socio-economic group, age, race, ethnicity, gender, ability, or education level.
The effects of abuse and trauma can last for years and impact individuals, families, and communities. HAVEN, INC. is here to help survivors find support, safety, and hope.
Talk With Someone
If you are experiencing abuse, sexual assault, trafficking, or any form of interpersonal violence, support is available. You are not alone, and what happened to you is not your fault.
Free and confidential services for survivors of Lincoln and surrounding counties.
Find Help
Get In-Touch
If you or someone you care about is experiencing abuse, sexual assault, trafficking, or another unsafe situation, HAVEN, Inc. is here to help.
Reach out for confidential support, safety planning, resources, and guidance from someone who understands.