On July 6, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a decision that will allow Chrystul Kizer to present an affirmative defense specific to sex trafficking survivors in her first-degree homicide case. With this decision, future trafficking survivors will have a clearer path to use this affirmative defense.

In 2021, COVID continued to impact communities throughout Wisconsin, nationwide, and across the globe. Despite increasing reports showing that those experiencing domestic violence are disproportionally impacted by the effects of the pandemic, WI advocates' ongoing survivor support and commitment to addressing root causes of violence reminds us of our movement's strength, even in times of crisis.

On June 24, 2022, in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, destroying the constitutional right to abortion and leaving states to decide the legality of abortion. This decision effectively rolls back bodily and sexual autonomy for those who can become pregnant, and this is especially dangerous for survivors of domestic violence.

The Court’s recent decision runs in direct contradiction to what is identified by experts nationally and in our state to keep domestic violence victims and survivors safe.

On May 6th, 2022, advocates from End Abuse, WCASA, the RCC, and UNIDOS joined Freedom, Inc. in attending the sentencing hearing for Kenyairra Gadson. Kenyairra was sentenced to 13 years initial confinement and 11 years of extended supervision. End Abuse reacts to this sentencing in the context of systemic violence.

Following the latest hearing in the Julie C. Valadez v. Ricardo Valadez case in Waukesha County, experts identify aspects of the case that are consistent with harmful patterns in WI family court and provide clarification about the potential impact of the case on survivors of domestic violence statewide.

The latest edition of Transformative, our quarterly newsletter for advocates & multi-disciplinary teams, is released for Spring 2022! In the Spring 2022 issue, find such resources as: our new domestic violence homicide support group: GRACE; opportunities to get involved in direct advocacy impacting Indigenous communities in WI; and short films centering young QTBIPOC folks about helping youth build healthy relationships.

The Teen Summit is End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin’ s largest training, developed by and for young people. It brings together youth, parents, educators, activists, and mentors from across Wisconsin and the surrounding area to learn about individual and community healing, anti-violence work centering those most impacted, and imagining violence-free futures.

In this issue of the Coalition Chronicles, we focus on people who have experienced human trafficking, and those who advocate alongside them in Wisconsin. We have amplified the voices of those with lived experience of trafficking, highlighted the growing Human Trafficking Community of Care, and spotlighted the work of Asia Jackson (DCF) and Julie Braun (DOJ). American Indians Against Abuse, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and the Wisconsin Office of Crime Victim Services - Department of Justice worked together to develop the publication.

We are excited to announce that the 2022 Teen Summit is being planned as an in-person event! We can’t wait to be in space with everyone at this upcoming Teen Summit, which will be from 6/12/22 – 6/14/22 at the Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells! Submit proposals for workshops, roundtables, and performances by January 11!