Gov. Walker tours Sojourner Family Peace Center as a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

MILWAUKEE -- Governor Scott Walker toured the Sojourner Family Peace Center Thursday, October 29th as a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.   Serving thousands of people every year, the Sojourner Family Peace Center is the largest non-profit provider of domestic violence prevention and intervention services in Wisconsin.

Sojourner Family Peace Center

“We are committed to safeguarding and advocating for Wisconsin’s most vulnerable,” Governor Walker said.  “In our most recent budget, we increased funding for domestic abuse grants, which help to support shelters like the Sojourner Family Peace Center.  The work of this nationally-recognized shelter, and others like it throughout the state to protect victims and their families is remarkable, and we will continue to support important resources like these that work towards ending the cycle of domestic abuse in our state.”

The Sojourner Family Peace Center provides families affected by domestic violence with support through resources that help with law enforcement interactions, finding an attorney, understanding the court process, and filing restraining orders.  The center also provides an emergency, on-site shelter for victims of family violence.  The services offered at Sojourner Family Justice Center focus on early intervention and prevention to end the cycle of domestic violence because early intervention and prevention help to reduce criminal justice system costs associated with domestic violence and child abuse within the state.

The Sojourner Family Peace Center is also recognized as a national leader for their efforts to create the largest, most comprehensive, co-located child advocacy and family violence center in the country.  Child programs are offered on-site and include preschool enrichment, support groups, academic enrichment, individual case management for parents, assessment, individual counseling, and referrals.

Sojourner Family Peace Center

In 2014, Governor Walker signed three bipartisan bills into law – Acts 321, 322, and 323 – to enhance protections for victims of domestic violence.  Governor Walker reinforced his commitment to ending domestic violence and assisting its victims this year by increasing domestic violence abuse grants by $5 million in the 2015-17 biennial budget, which represents a 50 percent increase in state funding.