Wiza declares October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

STEVENS POINT — Mayor Mike Wiza has declared October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In a proclamation, Mayor Wiza wrote that one in every three women and one in every four men will experience sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.
Mayor Wiza continued on by stating that domestic violence is prevalent in every community and affects all people, regardless of socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion or nationality. While there can be more than 20,000 calls to domestic violence hotlines nationwide, in Portage County free and confidential services are available through the Family Crisis Center. The Family Crisis Center supports those in need with their crisis line available at all hours of the day and all days of the week. In addition to their crisis line, walk in support is available in the form of a domestic violence shelter, safety planning assistance, restraining order assistance, court accompaniments, victim support, and more.
The proclamation signed by Mayor Wiza went into effect on Oct. 1 of 2025.