COVID-19 Service Update
You deserve support.
Social distancing, working remotely, event cancellations, and the suspension of in-person classes can pose additional challenges for individuals in unsafe living environments. The very things that help to reduce the spread of COVID-19, may also increase isolation and danger for individuals staying or living with abusers and/or dysfunctional family members.
We know that home is not safe for everyone. You deserve support. Resources that may be helpful to you during this time can be found on our Survivor Services page: https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/survivor-services/.
To schedule a time to speak with a Survivor Services staff member by phone, email survivorservices@uhs.wisc.edu and include your student ID number and days/times that you are available.
UHS Survivor Services Open Access is canceled for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester.
email survivorservices@uhs.wisc.edu for questions and information.
Victim Advocacy, 24-Hour Support, and Counseling
UHS Survivor Services
UHS Survivor Services provides free victim advocacy and confidential support to UW–Madison student victim/survivors of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and/or stalking. Our staff can provide emotional support, assist with arranging academic and housing accommodations, can provide information about reporting options, and support survivors in deciding what is most helpful for them. UHS Survivor Services does NOT operate a 24-hour crisis line. 333 East Campus Mall, 8th floor; 608-265-5600 (option 3); email: survivorservices@uhs.wisc.edu
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services is an off-campus community agency providing free and confidential services for survivors of dating/domestic violence, stalking, including emergency shelter, legal advocacy, community education, and support groups. They provide 24-hour help lines: 608-251-4445 or 800-747-4045.
Rape Crisis Center
RCC is a community agency providing free and confidential services for survivors of all forms of sexual violence, including medical and legal advocacy, support groups, short-term counseling, and community education. Chimera self-defense classes are available for a small fee.
24-Hour Crisis Line: 608-251-7273
Campus Location: 608-265-6389
Community Office: 608-251-5126
UHS Mental Health Services
UHS Mental Health Services provides confidential on-campus mental health resource for UW–Madison students, providing individual, couple/partner, and group counseling. Call 608-265-5600 (option 2); 333 East Campus Mall, 7th floor; 24-hour crisis services: 608-265-5600 (option 9).
Medical Resources
UHS Medical Services- Women's/Sexual Health
UHS Medical Services offers confidential medical services for students affected by sexual assault and dating violence including treatment of injuries, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, HIV testing and counseling, and screening and treatment of other STIs.
If you have been sexually assaulted, or are not sure, there are several ways to get support:
-Make an appointment with the 6th floor Blue clinic (Women's/Sexual Health) either online via MyUHS or by calling 608-265-5600 (option 1).
-Speak to a nurse directly about options following sexual assault by calling 608-852-9533 during UHS open hours (M–F 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.). You may remain anonymous.
-Drop-in to the 6th floor Blue clinic during clinic hours (M-F, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.) and ask to talk to the nurse.
333 East Campus Mall, Floors 5 & 6; 608-265-5600; 24-hour nurse line: 608-265-5600 (option 1)
UHS does not perform forensic (“rape kit”) examinations; those are done by UnityPoint Health—Meriter's Forensic Nurse Examiner Program.
The SAFE Fund
The SAFE Fund program can provide financial assistance to pay for a forensic medical exam for victims of sexual assault. It can also reimburse medical providers when a victim does not report the crime to law enforcement, does not wish to cooperate with law enforcement through prosecution, or does not wish to submit the bill to his or her insurance provider or be personally responsible for payment of the bill. The medical provider must apply for this benefit at victim's request.
Forensic Nurse Examiners Program
The Forensic Nurse Examiners Program at UnityPoint Health—Meriter provides confidential medical and forensic examinations for the victims of sexual assault and dating violence. The nurses can examine your body for injuries, collect evidence, and can offer medications to prevent STIs and/or pregnancy. Evidence can be collected within five days of assault. There is no requirement to report to law enforcement if over 18. Call for information about payment; insurance does not need to be billed, some services can be accessed at no cost. UnityPoint Health—Meriter, 202 South Park St.; Emergency room entrance; 608-417-5916.
Reporting Options
To Law Enforcement
When making a report to law enforcement, you can report to either the UW-Madison Police Department or the Madison Police Department, depending on whether the incident happened on or off-campus. Any police department that receives a report will assist the victim/survivor in making sure the report is filed with the right department. UWPD will generally share reports with the Title IX Coordinator if anyone named in the report is officially connected with UW-Madison.
UW–Madison Police Department
Non-Emergency: 608-264-COPS
1429 Monroe St.
Madison Police Department
Non-Emergency: 608-266-4316
211 S. Carroll St.
To Campus
You can report directly to either the Title IX Coordinator or the Dean of Students Office. The Title IX Coordinator receives reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking and works to make sure that all parties involved receive available support and referrals. The Dean of Students Office also receives reports, works with the Title IX Coordinator, and provides support to students who are impacted.
Campus Title IX Coordinator
608-890-3788
361 Bascom Hall
Dean of Students Office
608-263-5700
70 Bascom Hall
Requesting an Accomodation
UW–Madison will make every effort to make accommodations for academic, living, transportation, working situations, or protective measures if requested and reasonably available. Victims/survivors do not need to report to law enforcement to receive these accommodations, and can continue to request and receive them regardless of the outcome of a campus disciplinary investigation. Making an accommodation request to the UW–Madison may result in a report of an annual crime statistic with the victim’s name withheld. It may also result in a campus investigation of the incident(s). For more information, see Rights for Victims.
UHS Survivor Services
UHS is a confidential service provider.
608-262-5600 (option 3)
survivorservices@uhs.wisc.edu
333 East Campus Mall
Dean of Students Office
608-263-5700
70 Bascom Hall
Title IX Coordinator
608-890-3788
361 Bascom Hall
Population-Specific Services
Deaf Unity
Deaf Unity has a staff who are deaf and use American Sign Language to provide services to and advocates for deaf victims by: listening to victims and their experiences with abuse; providing victims emotional and moral support: empowering victims with information, strategies and choices to make themselves safe, healthy and independent; providing information to people who know and are concerned about someone who may be experiencing abuse; going with the victim to court or a medical appointment. Services are free, confidential, safe, and private. Email: help@deafunitywi.org; Text helpline: 608-466-2881, Mondays through Fridays 9 a.m.–10 p.m.
Room to Be Safe
A phone line staffed by LGBTQ anti-violence advocates at Diverse & Resilient who can help connect you to a provider or talk through your situation with you. The Room to Be Safe website also contains information about LGBTQ intimate partner abuse. Call or text 414-856-LGBT (5428) for assistance, referrals, support, and safety planning. This is not a 24-hour hotline. A call will be returned to you within 24 hours on weekdays and varying hours on weekends. You can ask for a phone call or text. Email: ipv.diverse@gmail.com.
Freedom, Inc.
Freedom, Inc. provides services that are language-gender-generation and culture-specific to women, gender non-conforming, and youth, in African American and Southeast Asian families. Services to domestic violence and sexual assault victims and survivors include advocacy, outreach, referral, direct services and support services to victims/survivors and their families. Services are free of charge and confidential. 601 Bay View, Madison, WI 53715; Office: 608-661-4089, Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; refugeeproject@hotmail.com.
Disability Rights Wisconsin
Disability Rights Wisconsin provides support and advocacy services to survivors of crime with disabilities. Services include victim advocacy, disability services assistance, legal advice, and emotional support. Toll Free: 800-928-8778
UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence
UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence provides bilingual/bicultural services for Latinx and immigrant victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, including advocacy, information and referrals, support groups, and 24/7 Spanish help line, LA RED. 24-Hour Help Line: 800-510-9195, Office: 608-256-9195
Legal Assistance
Lawyer Referral and Information Service
The State Bar of Wisconsin helps identify the most appropriate resource for legal needs. Call 800-362-9082.
Rise Law Center
Rise Law Center is a non-profit law office that provides culturally relevant legal representation in the following areas: family law; immigration law; civil injunctions/restraining orders; and immigration needs, including U-Visas, T-Visas, and VAWA self petitions.
VOCA Restraining Order Clinic
The VOCA Restraining Order Clinic provides direct legal services to victims/survivors of intimate-partner violence in Dane, Jefferson, Rock and Sauk Counties. Law students assist victims/survivors of intimate-partner violence by completing Restraining Order petitions, representing them at injunction hearings (restraining-order hearings), and providing relevant resources under the supervision of experienced clinical faculty. The Clinic provide services with no cost to the victim/survivor.
Community Justice, Inc.
This non-profit law firm that helps provide free legal advice and representation to survivors of sexual assault, utilizing a network of pro bono attorneys for this program. The UW Survivors Legal Program is available to assist with various legal needs of survivors, including restraining orders, reporting to law enforcement, criminal justice proceedings, and campus disciplinary proceedings. To inquire about services contact CJI at 608-204-9642 and mention the UW Survivors Program.
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services offers a legal advocacy program—not attorneys—for victims of domestic violence, dating violence and/or stalking. Office: 608-251-1237; Helpline: 608-251-4445 or toll-free 800-747-4045 (24 hours); email: info@abuseintervention.org
Dane County District Attorney’s Office
Dane County District Attorney’s Office, Victim Witness Unit provides services to victims of criminal cases that are referred to the District Attorney for prosecution. 608-266-9003