Confirming anecdotal information over the past 6+ months, the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence has released information highlighting the increases in domestic violence referrals – in part they believe due to the economic downturn and the additonal challenges that creates for families. All too often children are in the middle of domestic violence, and we know that being witness to domestic violence negatively impacts a child’s development and places them at a much greater risk of problem behaviors, including delinquency. Just as a way to understand the frequency of the problem, on September 15, 2009 over 1,900 victims of domestic violence were receiving services from programs throughout Wisconsin. More information is available through the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
Language Access in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths. But when children and their families face language access barriers, they are often excluded from critical information and services, which can hinder their development and well-being.
