I am Sara Ellenbolt, and I founded Justice for Survivors Wisconsin because I want to channel and transform the pain and horror from my personal experiences as a victim of domestic violence, interpersonal violence, and coercive control abuse into knowledge and support for others. I don’t want anyone to have to endure what my children and I have had to endure from our abuser and from the broken systems that should be advocating for and ensuring our safety.
Rather than helping us to safety and supporting measures to ensure ongoing safety, these broken systems often facilitate and participate in the ongoing abuse and fear. There are too many victims who carry this pain, and there are victims who do not live long enough to escape or to tell their stories. There are too many victims, such as myself, who beg and plead for safety for themselves and their children, provide clear evidence to substantiate the safety concerns, and request evidence-based, research supported measures for safety, who have their valid safety concerns minimized and ignored by those with the authority and power to increase safety and minimize abuse. These broken systems contribute to shame and fear. These broken systems favor abusers’ rights at the expense of victims’ safety and rights.
Victims of abuse often feel they have to carry this burden alone and in silence, which gives the abusers and predators a greater sense of power and control. I want to take back that power and control over my own life and help others do the same. The broken systems that should be advocating for the safety of victims of abuse have a reputation for falling short and failing to protect the most vulnerable. Unfortunately, the horror stories about family court have proven true in my case, and in talking with others, they are experiencing similar failings of family court to protect victims of abuse.
While I am a victim of abuse, I am more importantly a survivor. I am taking back my power from my abuser. I am striving to remain a survivor and not lose this battle for my autonomy, my happiness, my safety, and my life. As a mother, friend, nurse, woman, and human being, I am ready to fight for my rights to safety, and to advocate for the safety of others who are harmed by abusers and predators.
Resources for Domestic Violence:
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin
https://www.endabusewi.org/
(608) 255-0539
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/domesticabuse
IMPACT 211
https://www.impactinc.org/impact-211/
211 or 866-211-3380
The Women’s Center
Waukesha, Wisconsin
https://twcwaukesha.org/
24-hour Hotline: 262-542-3828
Sojourner Family Peace Center
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
https://www.familypeacecenter.org/
24-hour Hotline: 414-933-2722
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
Resources for Sexual Assault:
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA)
https://www.wcasa.org/survivors/service-providers/
2801 West Beltline Highway, Suite 202
Madison, Wisconsin 53713
WCASA has a page where you can search for local agencies by county:
https://www.wcasa.org/survivors/service-providers/
IMPACT 211
https://www.impactinc.org/impact-211/
211 or 866-211-3380
The Women’s Center
Waukesha Wisconsin
https://twcwaukesha.org/
24-hour Hotline: 262-542-3828
Sojourner Family Peace Center
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
https://www.familypeacecenter.org/
24-hour Hotline: 414-933-2722
Aurora Healing and Advocacy Services
https://www.aurorahealthcare.org/healing-advocacy-services/#Start-Healing
414-219-5555
New Beginnings APFV
https://www.newbeginningswalworth.com/
262-723-4653
BeLEAF
https://beleafsurvivors.org/
262-637-7233
Women & Children’s Horizons, Inc.
https://www.wchkenosha.org/
800-853-3503
Sexual Assault Recovery Program
https://www.sarpwi.com/
866-666-4576
RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center
https://www.thercc.org/
608-251-7273
RAINN
Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network
https://www.rainn.org/
24-hour Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Resources for Child Abuse:
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/reportabuse
IMPACT 211
https://www.impactinc.org/impact-211/
211 or 866-211-3380
Kids Matter Inc.
https://www.kidsmatterinc.org/child-safety/how-to-report-child-abuse/
414-344-1220
National Child Abuse Hotline
https://www.childhelphotline.org/
24-hour hotline: 1-800-422-4453