Answering a wave of domestic violence in Wisconsin

Victims of domestic violence and their advocates celebrated a big victory this week.

The state Legislature's joint finance committee approved a $5 million funding boost for domestic violence shelters and support services as part of the 2015-17 budget. The decision makes it all but certain the additional monies will be added. The full Legislature still needs to adopt the budget bill.

The number of domestic violence victims in the U.S. has reached staggering levels.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that one in three women and one in four men have been beaten, raped or stalked by a current or former intimate partner at some point in their lives, according to a survey study published in 2011.

That would mean approximately 43,120 women and 31,827 men in Brown County alone were victims of domestic abuse at least once in their lifetimes.

Gov. Scott Walker proposed the funding increase in response to a report that said domestic violence services, such as shelters and counseling, were underfunded by $19.7 million.

That's the minimum amount advocates say is needed to adequately fund agencies. Every day, about 2,100 victims and children receive help from service providers, numbers from the state Department of Children and Families show. However, 250 requests for assistance go unmet because local agencies don't have enough resources.

The state currently contributes $9.6 million in grant funding for domestic violence programs. The proposed budget would increase the funding to $14.6 million in the 2016-17 fiscal year.

Total spending on domestic violence prevention efforts from all sources is estimated to be $25 million to $30 million in funding.

"We know that connecting victims with the services that would be available with this funding will save lives," said Patti Seger, executive director of the domestic abuse advocacy group.

"We are very grateful the Joint Finance Committee took these very significant actions on Thursday to support victims and their children," Seger said. "The approved funding will help ensure victims get the assistance they deserve."

—arodewal@pressgazettemedia.com and follow him on Twitter @AdamGRodewald and on Facebook at Facebook.com/AdamGRodewald.

Domestic Violence Prevention Plan

The Wisconsin Governor's Council on Domestic Abuse long-range plan includes six priorities:

1. Maintain, strengthen and expand core services

2. Enhance services and prevention education for children and youth

3. Strengthen outreach and education to Wisconsin communities

4. Expand programming that is community driven in culturally specific and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities

5. Address civil legal needs of domestic violence victims and their children

6. Focus on promising strategies and practices