Written by Ziyan Guo, Spring 2024
Content warning – this article refers to sexual assault. If you have experienced violence and/or are in an unsafe situation, call the DAIS hotline at (608) 251-4445 or the sexual assault hotline 1-800-656-4673. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, but it’s an important issue all year long. Access to support for victims and survivors of sexual and/or domestic violence and their families is critically important for their healing and safety. Unfortunately, people coming from marginalized communities often face additional challenges in accessing those resources. Factors such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, income status can increase barriers to seeking help. Issues such as discrimination and language barriers could further complicate the situation. It is crucial to address those disparities to ensure that survivors have equitable access to a comprehensive support service. By listing some inclusive resources available in Madison below, we hope more people could access the assistance they need.
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS)
DAIS provides a 24-hour helpline, support for kids from homes with violence, transitional housing, legal help, support groups, and planning for emergencies. People facing domestic abuse can also find shelter at DAIS.
- 24-hour Helpline: call (608) 251-4445 or text (608) 420-4638
- Non-emergency Email: crisisline@abuseintervention.org
- Address: 2102 Fordem Avenue, Madison, WI 53704
- Website: https://abuseintervention.org/
RAINN
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country (RCC is a local affiliate, see more below). The helpline is accessible over the phone, online, via their mobile app, and chatbot. Click on “GET HELP” at the top of the homepage on their website to learn more.
- Phone: 800-656-HOPE
- Online: online.rainn.org
- En Español: rainn.org/es
UNIDOS Against Domestic Abuse
UNIDOS provides a 24-hour helpline and has advocates who are able to work one-on-one and connect people in the latinx community to needed resources. Counseling services and a spanish-speaking support group are also available.
- 24-hour Helpline: (800) 510-9195
- Non-emergency phone: (608) 256-9195
- Address: 2005 West Beltline Hwy, Suite 102, Madison, WI 537
- Website: https://www.unidoswi.org/
Freedom, Inc
Freedom Inc helps low-income and no-income Black and Southeast Asian women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people escape domestic violence, navigate the legal and the health system, and organizes adult and youth anti-violence programs.
- Phone: (608) 716-7324
- Email: info@freedom-inc.org
- Address: 2110 Luann Lane, Madison, WI 53713
- Website: https://freedom-inc.org/index.php
RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center (formerly the Rape Crisis Center):
The RCC provide medical and legal advocacy, support groups, and free regular one-on-one emotional support to survivors of sexual violence and their support networks from people 12 years old and older. Emotional support and all other services can be scheduled by calling the helpline. In addition to the main office, the RCC has three campus offices in the UW-Madison, Edgewood College, and Madison college, where appointments can be made by calling the helpline.
- Spanish-English bilingual 24-hour helpline: (608) 258-2567
- 24-hour helpline: (608) 251-7273
- Email: info@theRCC.org
- Main office address: 2801 Coho Street, Suite 301, Madison, WI 53713
- UW-Madison office address: 333 East Campus Mall, Room 7901
- Edgewood College office address: Personal Counseling Services, 1000 Edgewood Drive, Dominican Residence Hall 122A
- Madison College office address: Student Development Center, 1701 Wright St, C1434
- Website: https://www.thercc.org/survivor-services
Deaf Unity
Deaf Unity provides assistance to deaf victims and survivors of abuse and violence in Wisconsin. Deaf Unity advocates could assist survivors connect and communicate with the health system, the legal system, Medicare, and shelters. Advocates also provide peer counseling. Advocates are available Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.
- Video Phone: (608) 448-3147
- Text: (608) 520-0203
- Email: help@deafunitywi.org
- Website: https://deafunitywi.org/
National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline
Deaf Hotline provides a 24-hour hotline for people experiencing abuse. Advocates are available for assisting with crisis intervention, and giving information and referrals for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled callers nationwide.
- 24-hour deaf hotline video phone: (855) 812-1001
- Online contact form: https://www.thedeafhotline.org/contact-us/
- Website: https://www.thedeafhotline.org/
Restraining Order & Survivor Advocacy Clinic of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School (the ROSA clinic)
The ROSA clinic helps victims and survivors of intimate-partner violence in filing restraining orders and representing them in conjunction meetings. Individuals seeking help can call or email for assistance.
- Phone: (608) 263-9574
- Email: ROSA@law.wisc.edu
- Website: https://law.wisc.edu/eji/rosa/
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation (AACD)
The AACD Charitable Foundation’s Give Back a Smile program helps people who have experienced dental injuries due to sexual and domestic violence
- Phone: (800) 543-9220
- Information about eligibility and application: https://www.givebackasmile.com/apply
- Address: 200 River Place Ste 150, Monona, WI 53716
