Wisconsin intimate partner violence (IPV), includes violence between spouses, cohabiting partners, or those in romantic relationships, whether married or not.
Prevalence of Domestic Violence in Wisconsin
According to End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin (End Abuse) approximately 32% of women and 23% of men in Wisconsin report experiencing some form of domestic violence, aligning with national averages. Nationally, the CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey reports that 35.6% of women and 28.5% of men in the U.S. have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime, with 24.3% of women and 13.8% of men experiencing severe physical violence. Wisconsin’s rates are consistent with these figures and reveal that separated women in particular are most vulnerable to IPV victimization.
- In Wisconsin, domestic violence crosses all religious, racial, ethnic, educational and socioeconomic lines. No group is immune,
- Wisconsin’s non-heterosexual domestic partnerships (LGBTQ+ Couples) levels of intimate partner violence are comparable to DV in heterosexual marriages.
- IPV is most prevalent among younger couples (ages 18–34), with women aged 18–24 at the highest risk. This applies to both married and cohabiting partners in Wisconsin, consistent with national trends.
- In Wisconsin, as nationally, pregnancy is a high-risk period for domestic violence. Approximately 20% of pregnant women experience DV, with 30% reporting emotional abuse, 15% physical abuse, and 8% sexual abuse. Unintended pregnancies increasing the likelihood of physical violence by 2–4 times.
Reporting Domestic Violence
Most DV cases in Wisconsin go unreported, consistent with national trends where only 50–67% of abuse is reported to police. Victims often fear retaliation, economic upheaval, or stigma, particularly in married or cohabiting relationships where family unity is prioritized. Unfortunately, lack of reporting can have consequences on children. An estimated 3.3–10 million children witness domestic violence annually in the U.S., with Wisconsin aligning with this trend. Boys witnessing DV are twice as likely to become abusers, impacting future generations of married or cohabiting couples.
Resources for Victims of Domestic Abuse in Wisconsin
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, also known as the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, is a statewide, nonprofit organization founded in 1978 to address domestic violence through advocacy, education, and systemic change. Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, End Abuse serves as a central coalition representing domestic violence victims, survivors, service providers, advocates, and allied partners across the state. End Abuse partners with WCASA, American Indians Against Abuse (AIAA), and Black and Brown Women Power Coalition (BBWPC) on initiatives like the Long-Range Plan (https://www.wcasa.org/). It also collaborates with the Wisconsin Batterers Treatment Provider Association (WBTPA) to enforce male batterers’ treatment standards, endorsed by the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse (https://www.endabusewi.org/get-help/).
Contact an Experienced Domestic Abuse Family Law Attorney
If you are trapped in an abusive marriage or partnership and need legal assistance regarding protective orders, divorce, child custody, spousal or child support, contact family law attorney Jane Probst for immediate assistance today,