MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Rainbow House Domestic Abuse Services received a $25,000 grant to support an anonymous hotline for perpetrators of domestic violence.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought a rise in domestic violence, but 2022 is set to outpace 2021’s record rate of domestic violence deaths, according to Courtney Olson, Director of Rainbow House. So far this year, there have already been 40 domestic violence deaths in Wisconsin alone.
“The status-quo of domestic violence response is no longer working,” said Olson. “We need new tools, new collaborations, new ways of proactively providing services.”
Hoping to address the rise in domestic violence, Rainbow House is looking forward to a new pilot program designed to connect with abusers. Resources can be found on its website.
Rainbow House believes this new program addresses a need for services focusing on the abusers, particularly in rural areas such as Marinette where Rainbow House is located.
England and Australia have found success with similar programs, though, according to Rainbow House. Despite the public perception that abusers do not want to change their behavior, these programs have found that perpetrators will seek out help.
Traditionally, the responsibility of getting help in abusive relationships has fallen onto victims despite their lack of power or control in the relationship according to Rainbow House.
Rainbow House hopes this program can lift some of that burden from victims and hold perpetrators more responsible while still offering resources and intervention.
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