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Press Release
September 26 - Domestic Violence Shelter Forced to Close Demonstrates Urgency of State Budget Talks
Madison – As negotiations over the state budget continue, domestic violence programs across Wisconsin face both serious budget limitations and an immense need for their services. This week, the domestic violence shelter in Menominee County announced that budget constraints have forced it to close its doors. The shelter, operated by the Maehnowesekiyah Wellness Center of the Menominee Tribe, had been funded by a federal grant that was cut this year. The Center, like every other domestic violence program in Wisconsin, has not seen an increase in state-level funding since 1992.“It’s tragic that the Maehnowesekiyah Wellness Center had to close its shelter due to funding constraints. It puts the current state budget proposal to increase funding for these programs into sharp relief,” said Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Patti Seger. “It is well past time for lawmakers negotiating the budget to approve Governor Doyle’s request for a $1.9 million increase in funding to maintain basic services for victims.”
The Wellness Center’s ability to maintain basic services beyond its shelter (for example, a help line or support groups) could depend on the outcome of the current state budget negotiations.
“If the budget conference committee does not approve the $1.9 million increase in funding for domestic violence programs proposed by Governor Doyle and approved by the Joint Finance Committee, the Wellness Center and other programs across the state may be forced to eliminate or severely limit services for domestic violence victims,” said Seger. “This could literally be a life or death matter for victims of domestic violence who rely on local-level services to intervene in and prevent violence.”
Since the early 1990s, the statewide number of domestic violence victims seeking help from local programs has more than doubled. In 2005 alone, 40,556 victims sought help. Many shelters are full, advocacy services are stretched beyond capacity, and programs in rural counties can barely survive. Basic services funding from the state has not increased since 1992, and counties have drastically reduced their funding for these programs.
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Joshua Freker, Policy Director
Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence
608-255-0539
www.wcadv.org