Culturally Responsive Victim Advocacy
Victim Services | Legal Advocacy | CARES Warm Line
*Community Advocate Resources Emotional Support (CARES)
Our mission is to empower and support survivors of violence through a community-led, leadership-supported approach that fosters healing across generations. We are committed to a systemic, holistic, relational, and environmental strategy, training the next generation of providers and through engaging with our community through CAM™ events, CAMPsites™, CAM™ Informed mental health groups, individual counseling, wellness consultations, and advocacy.
Our work extends to influencing policy and advancing research to better support survivors at every stage of life. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force (MMIW) is dedicated to addressing the abduction, homicide, violence, and trafficking of Indigenous women in Wisconsin. Our Board Chair, Skye Alloway, was a former co-chair for this vital initiative, and our organization’s leadership plays an active role on various subcommittees within the MMIW State Task Force. Together, we strive to create a safer and more just community for all.
What is CAM™ Informed Victim Advocacy?
​The HIR Wellness Institute advocacy team provides culturally responsive direct relative care and crisis intervention in the field and in-office for Indigenous and underserved victims of crime.
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We support victims with immediate and urgent needs when leaving an abusive situation including relocation to an identified safe place, shelter, emergency relief, rescue, and respite.
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We work with survivors to ensure they know all options and accurate information regarding involvement with law enforcement, the criminal justice system, restraining orders, and work closely with the Wisconsin Safe at Home program.
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We provide hospital accompaniment for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exam and Sexual Assault Forensic exams (SAFE).
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We support cross coordination of care with culturally specific advocacy agencies, tribal agencies and services across the state, shelters, and agencies that offer victim services.
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After urgent needs are addressed, advocates help survivors with application processes for food, health care/insurance, childcare, housing (applying for applications, filing paperwork, identifying resources), and other social service programs. They coordinate with HIRWI counselors to address potential mental health needs.
Culturally Specific Victim Advocacy
​Our Lead Indigenous Sexual Assault & Tribal Trial Law Advocate is an enrolled Menominee tribal member. She provides culturally responsive and respectful practices when working with Indigenous victims of crime. She holds the primary and advanced certificate in Tribal Court Legal Advocacy, issued jointly by the National Tribal Trial College and the University of Wisconsin Law School.
The HIR Wellness Institute advocacy team provides culturally responsive direct relative care and crisis intervention in the field and in-office for Indigenous and underserved victims of crime.​
Advocacy Services
Victim Services | Legal Advocacy | CARES Warm Line
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Safety planning
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Crisis stabilization
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Accompaniment to court
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Accompaniment to a SANE interview (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner)
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Trained advocates with the SAFE at Home program
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Accompaniment to hospitals
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Restraining orders
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Parental supervised visitation visits for VOC
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Victim Support through our CARES Warmline
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Support groups for sexual assault or domestic violence
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Mental health counseling for VOC
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Legal advocacy
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Help filling applications including restraining orders
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Help to find assistance and resources
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Victim services related to the crime
How to Contact Us
To speak with one of our advocates, HIR Wellness offers a CARES warm line at 414-748-2592 we are available Monday-Friday from 8 AM - 6:30 PM* (CST) or email our Sexual Assault Advocate Lexy at LLunger@HIRwellness.org to learn more about our advocacy services.
* One of our advocates will call back within 24 hours of receiving a call.