About Us | Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs (2024)

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About Us | Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs (3)

The mission of Harbor House is to serve all people impacted by domestic and sexual violence, lead the shift in perception of violence, and advocate for lasting social change.

About Us | Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs (4)

Harbor House is the singular agency in Outagamie and Calumet Counties committed to the awareness and prevention of domestic abuse. As passionate advocates, we constantly seek to start, drive, and shape the conversation around domestic abuse and the services needed to break the cycle. We do everything in our power to keep individuals and families safe through knowledge and connection.

Programming & Services

Available to shelter residents as well asnon-residents,our free programming and services help individuals live a fulfilling life. All of our staff are highly trained in domestic abuse client advocacy and diversity awareness, with formal educational backgrounds in social work, human services, and education.

With the exception of our temporary shelter, all of the services offered at our Appleton location are also available through our Chilton office.

  • Our 68-bed shelter facility in Appleton, Wisconsin houses all victims of domestic abuse.
  • 24/7, confidential support and safety planning services are available in person and by phone at (800) 970-1171.
  • Additional services such as economic advocacy, legal advocacy, and support groups move beyond basic safety to break down barriers to personal growth and empowerment.
  • In addition to client services, Harbor House also offers K-12 prevention education as well as community education and training.
  • People who use abusive behaviors may access services through ourdomestic violence intervention program.

Learn More

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic Abuse is characterized by one partner's need to control the other using a range of tactics. It includes behaviors that frighten, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, often injure, and sometimes kill a current or former intimate partner.

Our Board Members

BOARD CHAIR
Nikki Voelzke, A2Z Design

SECRETARY
Jennifer Betow, Miller Electric Mfg Co.

DIRECTORS

Jean Coopman-Jansen, Primary Care Associates

Kristina Flores, Prospera Credit Union

Mike Frisch, Appleton Police Department (Retired)

Kay Lynn Mahan, Kimberly-Clark

Emily Mueller, Schreiber Foods

Graeme Rattray, Oshkosh Corporation

Heidi Zich, Home Builders Association of the Fox Cities

Our Staff Leadership Team

Tracy Plamann (She/Her/Hers)
CEO

920-955-9125
tracy.plamann@harborhousewi.org

Andrew Lauer (He/Him)
Facility Manager
920-955-9130
andrew.lauer@harborhousewi.org

Gabby Croley (She/her)

Culture, Diversity, & Engagement Manager/Human Resources

920-955-9121

Gabby.croley@harborhousewi.org

Lara Reddin(She/Her/Hers)
Volunteer Manager
920-955-9113
lara.reddin@harborhousewi.org

Melissa Rettler (She/Her/Hers)
Accountant
920-955-9119
melissa.rettler@harborhousewi.org

Beck Fritsche (They/Them)
Grant Writer
920-955-9114
beck.fritsche@harborhousewi.org

Harbor House does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, and disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Inclusive Advocacy

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. It crosses all racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic boundaries, and yet, it does not affect everyone the same way. At Harbor House, we strive to be mindful of shared commonalities, yet flexible enough to respond to the individual differences within each individual’s situation. To best serve ALL individuals and families affected by domestic abuse, we take great efforts to ensure our programming and services are accessible to persons with disabilities, respectful of other cultures, and available to those who speak different languages.

Accessible Facility

Housed in a former nursing home, our ADA-compliant facility has wheelchair accessible ramps at all entrances, accessible bathrooms and showers, and an elevator that allows anyone with limited mobility to access all three floors of our building, as well as the basem*nt. We also have a videophone for speaking to clients who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and we’ve successfully completed an on-site accessibility assessment by Wisconsin’s Violence Against Women with Disabilities and Deaf Women Project.

About Us | Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs (5)

Multilingual Programming

We work hard to accommodate language differences. Shelter signage is printed in the three languages most prevalent in Northeastern Wisconsin - English, Hmong, and Spanish. Several staff members are bilingual, including staff who speak Spanish and Hmong. Professional Interpreters are brought in to assist other non-English speaking clients and clients who are deaf or hearing-impaired. We host a weekly women’s support group in Spanish and offer informational DVDs and brochures in Hmong and Spanish.

About Us | Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs (6)

Our History

Established in 1984, Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs began as a county-administered program offering safe shelter and basic crisis services to domestic abuse victims. From these humble beginnings, we expanded to a 55-bed shelter facility with 24-hour emergency services and a wide range of programming for families affected by domestic violence.

View History

Strategic Partnerships

We partner with a number of likeminded community organizations, allowing us to expand our operational capacity beyond what can do on our own. Through collaborations and special projects that draw on each other’s strengths, we’ve worked to better address the needs and increase the self-sufficiency of domestic abuse victims and survivors in our area.

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Annual Reports

Harbor House receives funding from a variety of sources. It is our goal to use this funding to create the greatest value for survivors of domestic abuse. Our annual reports provide information on where funding comes from and how we turn that support into programming – and ultimately outcomes – for individuals and families affected by domestic abuse.

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About Us | Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to get over domestic abuse? ›

Recovering from the trauma of being abused by someone you once loved and trusted is a long process and it may take months and even years for you and your children to heal. For some people, it is also normal to experience a sense of anti-climax.

What can you do about domestic abuse? ›

Reporting the violence to the police

Most police stations have Domestic Violence Units or Community Safety Units with specially trained officers to deal with domestic violence and abuse. You can call 999 in an emergency or 101 in a non-emergency or you can attend a police station in person to report an incident.

How to work with victims of DV? ›

Take the time to listen and believe what they say. Communicate that you care about their safety, that they do not deserve to be hurt, and that the abuse is not their fault. Tell them they are not crazy. A person who has been abused often feels upset, depressed, confused, and scared.

Is abuse biblical ground for divorce? ›

Jesus allows divorce in only one situation (p*rneia) and explicitly prohibits any and all other grounds for divorce (Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19:1-12). 3. Abuse is sinful and egregious, but it is not p*rneia; there is no exegetical warrant for assuming that abuse falls under the term p*rneia.

What happens to the mind after abuse? ›

Mental health issues

Like other forms of psychological abuse and emotional abuse, it can lead to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Victims may also struggle with regulating emotions, leading to mood swings, anger outbursts, or emotional numbness as a result of these mental health issues.

Does emotional abuse ever go away? ›

It may take time to recover from emotional abuse, but by prioritizing self-care and getting support, recovery is possible.

What counts as domestic abuse? ›

Domestic abuse is typically manifested as a pattern of abusive behavior toward an intimate partner in a dating or family relationship, where the abuser exerts power and control over the victim. Domestic abuse can be mental, physical, economic or sexual in nature.

What happens in cases of domestic abuse? ›

First, an Assistant Prosecutor reviews the police report and decides whether to charge the defendant with a crime. The victim may meet with a Victim Advocate. If a defendant is charged, they next appear in front of a judge for an arraignment. At the arraignment, the defendant enters a plea of guilty or not guilty.

Do abusers know they are abusive? ›

Abusers will rarely admit to the part they play in causing a problem. She will blame the victim for almost anything that goes wrong.

What evidence do you need for DV? ›

When applying for restraining orders, the petitioner must attach all supporting material such as any police reports, pictures taken , screenshots of text messages, and medical bills to show that the definition of domestic violence was met.

What is the silent treatment for abuse? ›

The silent treatment is the practice of withholding communication from a person during a conflict. Individuals with abusive tendencies sometimes use the silent treatment as a tool to shame, punish or manipulate.

How do victims of abuse behave? ›

While staying in an abusive relationship the victim uses coping strategies. These coping strategies tend to be self-protective in nature; they include denial, minimization, addictions, arguing, defensiveness, rationalization, compliance, detachment, and dissociation.

What does God say about domestic violence? ›

The one who initiates domestic violence participates in violent acts against another. Such violence does not please God. The psalmist reveals God's attitude toward violence: “The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion” (Psalm 11:5).

What does God say about living in a sexless marriage? ›

Ephesians 5:28-29 tells you to do everything we can to nourish and cherish your spouse. This does not somehow change if your marriage is currently sexless. Loving your spouse in seasons of sexlessness will often mean working on your own problems. Resist the temptation to focus on changing your spouse's sex drive.

How to leave a domestic abuse relationship? ›

Making a plan: Think about your partners' routines and choose a safe time to leave your home. Consider where he will be, and plan a safe route – for example, you might want to avoid using a local taxi service in a small town, in case the driver tells your partner where you have gone.

How long does abuse recovery take? ›

There is no timeline on a recovery; every journey is different. It could take you 2 months, 2 years, or 20 years to recover. There are some severe relationships that have such serious effects that survivors may never recover, but psychological help can assist in easing the pain and speed up the recovery process.

How long does trauma from abuse last? ›

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), some people recover within six months, while others may experience symptoms for one year or longer. It is important to seek treatment for PTSD to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

How long does it take to heal from relationship trauma? ›

If you're wondering how long it takes to heal from trauma, the answer is that it varies from person to person. The healing process can take weeks, months, or even years. It's important to remember that healing is not a linear process, and setbacks are normal.

How long do most domestic violence cases last? ›

A: Every domestic violence case is unique and can vary in duration based on the surrounding circ*mstances. Generally, they can last from a few months to over a year.

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