• every person is entitled to be safe in their own homes and families;
• family violence is a crime; it must not be ignored or tolerated by anyone;
• victims/survivors have a right to choose whether to continue a relationship with their partner, but whatever their choice, they are entitled to freedom from violence and fear;
• people who batter are the root cause of this problem; they must take responsibility for their behavior and for stopping the violence;
• the community through its police, courts, criminal justice system, human service agencies and public policy makers, is accountable for working together to make Milwaukee violence-free and that;
• each and every individual can help by rejecting violence, as a means of communication and human interaction, and by not tolerating violent behavior in others.

Protective Orders:
Staff and volunteers assist victims seeking restraining orders and injunctions for legal protection against a person committing domestic, violence, harassment, or child abuse. Advocates help victims complete and file forms, accompany them to court; check on their safety, and refer them to other needed services. Assistance is provided in English and Spanish. This program is funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), United Way, and private contributions.

Emergency legal assistance and safety planning:
In collaboration with Legal Action of Wisconsin, the Task Force provides emergency legal services and resource and safety planning for people involved in violent relationships through the Legal Emergency Assistance Project (LEAP). Legal Action attorneys represent clients. in court with child welfare issues, restraining orders, and income and housing concerns,while Task Force advocates assist with safety and referral needs. LEAP is the first project of its kind in the nation to be funded by a federal Victims of Crime Act grant.

Employment Advocacy:
Advocates help workers whose jobs are at risk because of family violence. Advocates contact supervisors to educate them about the dynamics of family violence, the impact on their employee's performance, and the employee's need to miss work to obtain medical and legal assistance or to relocate to a safe environment. This program is funded by a grant from the federal Victims of Crime Act.

Education for People Who Batter
DAIP:
The Domestic Abuse Intervention Project is a 18-week education program designed for men and women who batter. In a group setting, batterers learn the dynamics of power and control, challenge themselves and each other to show respect for their partners, and learn techniques for effective non-violent communication. This program is funded by the Elizabeth A. Brinn Foundation, Milwaukee County Human Services Department, the Child Abuse Prevention Network; client fees, and private contributions.

Training for Professionals
Family violence education and training helps professionals respond safely effectively and fairly to abuse situations. Staff trains police, judges, attorneys, probation and parole officers, medical professionals, clergy, and human service providers. Employer training is a special focus of the Task Force.

A workshop entitled When Family Violence Comes to Work, is provided to employers, human resource professionals and security staff, with, both on-site and in the community training available.

Public Policy Advocacy
The Task Force On Family Violence works closely with other family violence service providers to ensure that legislation and administration rules support the best possible outcomes for victims of family violence and child abuse.

Information and Referral
Staff and volunteers respond to more than 15,OOO calls each year to assist victims and their families. Advocates answer questions and provide referrals to needed community services including shelters and counseling.

Agency Questions & Answers
What is the Task Force and who does it serve?
The Task Force on Family Violence is a private, not-for-profit agency that works with both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence. The Task Force's legal and employment advocacy programs, (located in the Milwaukee County Courthouse) assist victims/survivors of family violence, while the Task Force's Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (DAIP) works with men and women who batter. Annually, 5,000 victims are served through legal and employment advocacy, and 280 abusers are served through DAIP. Additionally, we respond to more than 15,000 calls each year and provide referrals for other services the victim may require, such as shelter and counseling. We also work with policy makers to ensure that our community response to this problem is effective.

How does the Task Force help family violence victims?
Staff and volunteer advocates work with victims seeking a restraining order/injunction for legal protection against an abusive partner. We help victims complete and file forms, accompany them to court, and check on their safety. Employer Bridges, the Task Force's employment advocacy program, is designed to help workers whose jobs are at risk because of family violence. Advocates contact supervisors to educate them about the dynamics of family violence, the impact of their employee's performance, and the employee's need to miss work to obtain medical and legal assistance or to relocate to a safe environment.

Why does the Task Force work with abusers?
Though the Task Force originated from a commitment to survivors of domestic abuse, we recognize the fundamental problem is the violent behavior of the perpetrator. Unless a batterer learns to manage anger responsibly and respectfully, that person is likely to batter again. In fact, educating and treating batterers can be considered prevention in its most direct form. To combat this problem, the Task Force works with abusers through its Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (DAIP) an eighteen-week educational course for both men and women who batter. In a group setting, batterers learn the dynamics of power and control, challenge themselves and each other to show respect for their partners, and learn techniques for effective non-violent behavior.

How is the Task Force different from other domestic violence agencies?
The Task Force was the first domestic violence agency in Milwaukee and a leader in helping establish programs for battered women and children around the state. Task Force is not just a shelter. Our programs compliment and support our sister agencies. We are the only private agency with offices in the Milwaukee County Courthouse that assists victims of abuse obtain restraining orders/injunctions. Our batterer's program is unique in that it serves both men and women. We encourage partners of batterers to attend sessions and ask for feedback in assessing the progress of their abusive partner as he/she learns new ways to communicate and manage anger without violence.

How do Milwaukee domestic violence agencies work together?
ln addition to the shared goal of reducing and ending family violence in our community, the Task Force and other area family violence agencies actively work on collaborative projects each year. Together these agencies have applied for jointly-funded grants, participated in program design and evaluation, and referred clients to each other for needed services. In addition, all area agencies work together to build a coordinated community response to this problem, so that the police, courts, private agencies and corrections staff are unified in their efforts.

How does the Task Force use my gift?
With a budget of $789,500 our largest expense is salaries. We have a staff of 15, but we also use volunteers to provide services to clients. Many of our operational expenses printing, accounting and auditing services are donated or provided at a reduced rate. Our budget enables us to provide direct service and/or referrals to 20,000 people each year.

I give to United Way. Why should I give to the Task Force?
United Way funds only a part of one program. The work we do with batterers and public awareness is mostly funded by charitable contributions from people like you. Several people give to us through United Way by giving to its Donor Choice program. We sincerely appreciate these gifts, however all contributions directed to us do not increase the amount United Way gives the Task Force.