Crimes
Even if you do not qualify for a restraining order, the abuser may have committed a crime. If you call the police, they may arrest him/her for a crime and you may get a restraining order through the criminal court. Remember that even if you do have a restraining order, you can still report him/her to the police if you believe s/he committed a crime against you.
In our Abuse Using Technology section, you can learn the types of behaviors that are considered a misuse of technology. Some of these behaviors might be recognized as a crime depending on the specific laws of your state.
What are some crimes that the abuser may have committed in Wisconsin?
If I am the victim of a crime, where can I get additional help in Wisconsin?
What are some crimes that the abuser may have committed in Wisconsin?
Here is a list of some possible crimes in Wisconsin that the abuser may have committed. You can click on the links to read the legal definition of each crime on our State Statutes page:
- battery, including substantial battery and aggravated battery
- abuse of individuals at risk
- sexual assault
- sexual assault of a child
- engaging in repeated acts of sexual assault of the same child
- interference with custody
- stalking
- possession of a firearm
- damage to property
- unlawful use of telephone
- unlawful use of computerized communication systems
- harassment
- invasion of privacy
- representations depicting nudity
- first-degree intentional homicide
- second-degree intentional homicide
- unauthorized use of an individual’s personal identifying information or documents
- intimidation of victims
- intimidation of witnesses.
If I am the victim of a crime, where can I get additional help in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin Department of Justice runs the Office of Crime Victim Services, which provides information on victims’ rights and services. For information on victims’ compensation in Wisconsin, visit the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s website.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice also runs Safe at Home, Wisconsin’s address confidentiality program for victims of abuse, stalking, trafficking, and those in fear for their physical safety.
You may learn more about crimes by calling your local police department, sheriff’s department, or district attorney’s office. See our WI Sheriff Departments page for the contact information for your local sheriff’s department.
If you are a victim of domestic violence and have been charged with a crime, you can go to our Abuse Victims Charged with Crimes page.
Other organizations for victims of crime are listed on our National Organizations - Crime Victims page.