Community event aims to grow knowlege of domestic violence resources

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - An event Tuesday evening looked to connect the community with resources to help those experiencing domestic violence.

The “Happy Hour with Advocates” event took place Tuesday evening at Bull Falls Brewing Company on E. Thomas St. in Wausau.

People connected directly with representatives from The Women’s Community, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Victim Witness Specialists from the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office, as well as the Wausau Police Department’s Victim Resource Unit.

“We all work together, but we’re all also independent agencies,” said Shannon Jarecki, Domestic Abuse Program Coordinator for The Women’s Community. “So [it’s] just an opportunity for really anyone in the community to come out and meet the players and get to know what we do and how to get victims connected to us so that they have those support services.”

Connecting the community

Those support services include the Wausau Police Department’s Victim Resource Unit. Kristen Seidler is a mental health therapist with the unit. She said Tuesday’s event is crucial to linking local professionals with resources, so they know where to refer domestic violence victims.

Seidler said helping victims is a community effort, and it’s important to know how victim advocacy groups intersect.

“The criminal justice system can be so confusing for people that it’s nice, like, to have entities actually talking with each other so that we can kind of work together to help people navigate that system, where it just makes it less confusing, less hopefully traumatizing, and just, like, a better experience overall,” Seidler said.

Breaking down barriers

People experiencing domestic abuse often face barriers to getting help, including fear, isolation, and an inability to access resources. “We try and be as flexible and mobile and accessible as possible. We want folks to make sure that there are options and we want to work with them,” said Jarecki. ”For housing, for housing, for child care, for employment, right? Because starting over is a very scary time or trying to build back after abuse.”

The Women’s Community serves all domestic violence victims regardless of age or gender. Their services are free of charge. The organization has a 24/7 confidential hotline. You can learn more on their website.

There is also a National Domestic Violence hotline, which also has chat or text options.

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