Rural & Tribal

Battered women in rural and tribal communities share experiences, thoughts and feelings very similar to those of women from larger, more urban areas.  However, they face unique barriers to leaving abusive relationships and safely getting assistance.  In Wisconsin’s rural, remote and tribal areas, battered women and their children face many challenges including a lack of anonymity, severe lack of affordable housing and geographical isolation exacerbated by extreme weather conditions during much of the year.  Other barriers may include:

• Lack of public transportation and long distances to travel
• Lack of safe place to board family pets or animals
• Implications of leaving the family farm and the income it provides.
• The difficulty of finding resources in rural and tribal areas, including health care or child care.
• Leaving a familiar place to live in a city/town without family support.
• Economic; lack of employment opportunies in rural areas

Rural and tribal programs work hard to provide support for all women regardless of whether they decide to stay or leave the relationship.  Programs offer a wide variety of other services to assist survivors, including access to shelter if that is needed, legal assistance, support groups, children’s services, etc.    

The Rural and Tribal Technical Assistance Project Staff work in partnership with rural and tribal programs to provide in depth on-site technical assistance and training that is structured to meet the unique needs of each agency and community.

We also provide opportunities for sharing and learning through quarterly networking meetings, agency to agency peer reviews, advocate and director peer partnerships and other program specific, regional and statewide trainings. 

WCADV publishes an Outreach Office Manual for Domestic Violence Program Advocates. For access to this manual please contact the WCADV office: 608-255-0539

Click to view all Rural Resources               Click to view all Tribal Resources