Our Support Services

What is domestic abuse/violence?

Domestic abuse/violence is the intentional infliction of emotional, verbal, psychological, spiritual, economic, physical, and/or sexual abuse as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against the other. The frequency and severity of this abuse can vary; however, the one constant component of domestic abuse is one partner's consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other.

One of the most important things to remember about domestic abuse is that it is never the victim's fault. Only the perpetrator is responsible! A woman is beaten every 15 seconds in the United States, and around the globe, 1 in 3 women has been abused by their partners. Domestic violence affects individuals in every community regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, abilities, religion, nationality, or ethnicity. The devastating effects and consequences of domestic abuse can cross generations and last a lifetime.

Types of behaviors exhibited by the perpetrator in abusive relationships:

• Telling the victim they can never do anything right
• Showing jealousy of the victim's family and friends
• Accusing the victim of cheating
• Isolating the victim from family and friends
• Embarrassing/shaming the victim with put-downs
• Controlling the finances
• Controlling who the victim sees, where they go, and what they do
• Preventing the victim from making their own decisions
• Telling the victim that they are a bad parent or threatening to hurt, kill, or take away the children
• Intimidating the victim with weapons
• Pressuring the victim to have sex when they don't want to or to do things sexually they are not comfortable with
• Destroying the victim's property
• Harming pets
• Dictating how the victim dresses
• Stalking the victim

Domestic Violence & Sexual Abuse Services Provided by Haven, Inc.

• 24-hour Shelter for victims and their children
• Support and encouragement
• Safety planning
• Individual counseling
• Information and referrals to other resources
• Assistance with finding housing, child care, employment
• Advocacy with other resources
• Support Groups
• Legal advocacy and criminal justice support
• Community outreach to those individuals who choose not to utilize our Shelter services
• Children's programming
• Sexual assault services to victims and survivors of sexual abuse/assault
• Community education

Legal Advocacy and Criminal Justice Support

• Information and assistance with petitioning the court for a temporary restraining order
• Referrals to Wisconsin Judicare, Inc. and local attorneys
• Information and assistance with filling our/filing petitions for legal separations, divorce, and other family matters
• Support in making a criminal complaint
• Support and information regarding the criminal process
• Accompaniment to court for any legal matter

We provide weekly support groups and advocacy that helps children who are victims of, or live in a family affected by, domestic abuse and sexual assault.

Children's Group and Childcare

Every Tuesday from 3:30-5:30, we offer play and art therapy, which increases the feeling of safety and decreases anxiety. Children of all ages who have witnessed or whose mothers have been affected by domestic and/or sexual abuse are encouraged to participate in our weekly support group. We encourage children to be vocal in their feelings and help them prepare for a healthy lifestyle. It is never too late to get the help your family needs to live a healthy, safe life. Call (715) 536-1300 or email [email protected] to discuss group.

For Children

All children who live with domestic violence are affected by the experience. The nature and extent of the effects vary greatly. Some children are severely traumatized by their exposure to domestic abuse, particularly if they are among the many who are also victims of child abuse. Children who have a resilient temperament, an otherwise stable life, and a nurturing support system may suffer less harm. Support from the non-abusing parent and the community can greatly contribute to resiliency.

The potential effects on children of witnessing domestic violence can be characterized as externalizing or internalizing symptoms. Externalizing symptoms are more visible and often manifest as behavioral problems. Internalizing symptoms are less visible and more likely to be characterized as mental health problems.