Wisconsin students look to end domestic violence

Several students from the University of Wisconsin-Stout have been spending part of their fall semester traveling through parts of the state in order to discuss domestic violence. The students in a family relations class are acting in coordination with a national campaign called No More that aims to end instances of sexual assault and violence by increasing public awareness and encouraging dialogue.

The students used role-playing and videos to present information to three schools, a jail and an ex-offender facility, with a main part of their message indicating that men can be a part of the solution. Another group of students worked on the recent Hope for the Holidays concert that benefits a domestic violence agency called Bridge to Hope.

Statistics gathered by No More indicates that one in four women and one in six men will suffer some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18. Approximately 33 percent of teenagers are physically or sexually abused or threatened by their boyfriend or girlfriend, and 25 percent of women are affected by domestic violence from their spouses or partners.

Due to the high numbers regarding the occurrence of domestic assault, most law enforcement personnel take allegations of domestic abuse incredibly seriously as these incidents can often result in serious injury or death. The data referenced above shows how serious and pervasive a problem violence involving family members and loved ones has become. A Wisconsin attorney may be able to provide counsel to a client that has been a victim of domestic violence by helping to obtain restraining or other protective orders.

Source: The Dunn County News, “Students say ‘No More’ to domestic violence, sexual assault“, November 26, 2013