Services in Dane County
If you would like to file a restraining order, fill out a form for temporary restraining orders and injunctions and bring it to the Dane County Courthouse, located at 215 S Hamilton St., Madison, WI 53703. Please see the Dane County Restraining Order Informational Guide for more information on how to access the courts for protective services.
The approach in Dane County is to provide a coordinated approach for Domestic Abuse survivors. Since the Violence Against Women Act ("VAWA") in 1994, was passed, there has been a shift to coordinated community response to bring together various sectors, including legal, health, education, social services, government, businesses, and religious organizations to provide better services to individuals affected by domestic violence.
Dane County has been a statewide leader in its response to domestic violence crimes:
- For over 30 years, the District Attorneys of Dane County have up held a pro-prosecution model in response to domestic abuse.
- The court maintains specialized calendars to expedite case process in domestic abuse situations.
- There are a number of specialized projects that support Domestic Violence survivors.
- There are 8 Family Court Counselors available that are experienced in family dynamics.
- The Family Court Clinic Assistance Project assists throughout the entire family court process.
- A Restraining Order Clinic was started in 2007. Volunteers help petitioners write their petitions and prepare for court.
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (D.A.I.S.)
What is D.A.I.S. and how can they help?
D.A.I.S. Brochure (PDF)
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services is the main Dane County support organization that helps and assists individuals facing domestic violence situations. Their staff includes advocates, but there are no full-time DV attorneys available. These advocates do not offer explicit legal services, but they do support, give information, provide advocacy and accompany people to court. They assist with restraining orders, as well as give referrals.
The DAIS Crisis Response Program provides assistance to survivors of domestic violence within confidential locations in Dane County. These advocates can provide survivors with emergency safety planning, housing information, parenting support, and referrals to community resources.
Additionally, DAIS runs the a domestic violence shelter. Shelter residents receive legal help, counseling, referrals to community resources and access to medical and social services.
The DAIS Children’s Program provides family-focused crisis intervention services to children from violent homes. DAIS' goal is to "provide children from violent homes with physical and emotional safety, structure and consistency, opportunities to process their feelings and experiences through age-appropriate play and creative activities, and experiences with positive discipline."
Contact DAIS
https://abuseintervention.org/
24 Hour Help Line: 608-251-4445 or 1-800-747-4045
2102 Fordem Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
Resources for Survivors of Domestic Violence
The following booklet is a very useful tool for understanding the complex family court system and the various policies, programs and resources available in Dane County, Wisconsin.
- Dane County Family Court Resource Booklet (PDF)
- Guide to Divorce/Separation in Wisconsin (PDF)
- Managing Your Divorce: A guide for battered women (PDF)
Additional Resources
Family Court Services
Dane County Courthouse Room 2030
215 S. Hamiliton St.
Madison, WI 53703
608-266-4607
- Family Questionnaire (Required by the court to begin family evaluation services; PDF Document)
- Fee Waiver Application (PDF)
UW Law School Family Court Clinic and Restraining Court Clinic
Please call 608-262-2301 for hours.
Dane County Courthouse Room LL1022
215 S. Hamilton St.
Madison, WI 53703
Dane County Child Support Agency
Room 365 City-County Building
210 Martin Luther King Drive Blvd.
Madison, WI 53703
Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
608-266-4031
www.danechildsupport.com
Simplified Application for Child Support Services (PDF)
To report child abuse in Dane County
- Call 608-261-5437 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Call 608-255-6067 on weekends and after hours.
- If it is an emergency, call 911.
- Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse and Neglect (PDF)
The Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR)
https://gwaar.org/
608-243-5670
1414 MacArthur Road, Suite A
Madison, WI 53714
Dating and Teen Violence
- UHS Rights for Victims
- Power and Control Wheel (PDF)
- Youth Resource Network
- National Statistics and Resources for Teen Dating Abuse (PDF)
Tenant Resource Center
1202 Williamson St., Suite 102
Madison, WI 53703
Tenant Resource Center Hotline
608-257-0006
1-877-238-7368
Small Claims Assistance Project
Dane County Courthouse
Room LL1022
215 S. Hamilton St.
Madison, WI 53703
Tuesdays 9 - 11 a.m.
En Español
UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence
128 East Olin Ave. #201
Madison, WI 53713
Office: 608-256-9195
Toll Free: 1-800-510-9195
Centro Hispano
Centro Hispano Apoyo General
810 West Badger Road
Madison, WI 53713
608-255-3018
Community Immigration Law Center (CILC)
Christ Presbyterian Church
944 E. Gorham St.
Madison WI 53703
608-257-4845
Folleto en Español (PDF)
