Community-Informed Victim Advocacy
Victim Services | Legal Advocacy | CARES Warm Line
​Our collective healing comes from the stories, resilience, and voices of survivors of violence. Each survivor’s journey is a testament to strength, courage, and the power of recovery. By honoring these stories, we not only empower individuals to reclaim their lives but also create a deeper sense of shared understanding within our communities.
We believe that the healing process is not just an individual experience but a collective one, where the voices of survivors inspire and lead the way toward systemic change and greater support. Our commitment to advocacy is rooted in the belief that every survivor deserves access to resources, care, and a community that listens, understands, and stands beside them in their healing journey.
Together, we can break the silence, dismantle the stigma, and create a world where every survivor is empowered to thrive.
*Community Advocate Resources Emotional Support (CARES)
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 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.