Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker hopes that a new Family Justice Center being built in Milwaukee will serve as a model to the rest of the state and to the entire country. Walker said the state will match private donations for the center, which will serve victims of domestic violence and their families. Walker said the state’s pledge should help project planners raise the last private funds needed to construct the $21.25 million facility. Planners hope to complete fundraising later this year and begin construction in 2014. If everything goes as planned, the new center will open in 2015.
The new center will be the first in the nation to provide a large-scale and comprehensive system of care for domestic violence victims. The 78,000 square-foot facility will house a 56-bed emergency shelter for families as well as resources to meet the families’ medical, legal and social services needs. The agencies expected to have a presence at the center include the Milwaukee Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office and the Milwaukee Public School District.
Victim advocates say the new center’s holistic approach will help break the cycle of domestic abuse. It can be difficult for a domestic violence victim to leave an abusive relationship because of fear of what the abuser will do. The new center will provide a safe place where all of the victim’s needs can be met, making life much easier.
It is critical for someone who is suffering from domestic violence or spousal abuse to seek help. A domestic abuse hotline can provide information and resources. A knowledgeable Milwaukee family law attorney can provide the necessary legal support.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Scott Walker announces funding to help build Family Justice Center in Milwaukee,” Bill Klauber, Feb. 13, 2013
