Press Release: Gov. Evers, Milwaukee Bucks Launch Statewide Campaign Aimed at Preventing Domestic Violence Across Wisconsin

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 10/01/2026 10:35 AM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2026
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers, Milwaukee Bucks Launch Statewide Campaign Aimed at Preventing Domestic Violence Across Wisconsin
New “Real Love is Respect” campaign supported by $200,000 investment from Evers Administration launches as Domestic Violence Awareness Month begins
MILWAUKEE — Gov. Tony Evers and the Milwaukee Bucks today, as Domestic Violence Awareness Month begins, announced the launch of the “Real Love is Respect” campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the issue of domestic and intimate partner violence in Wisconsin and connecting Wisconsinites with resources and help if they need it. The partnership, announced by Gov. Evers earlier this year, is supported by a $200,000 investment by the Evers Administration. Wisconsin saw a record number of domestic violence deaths in 2024, which claimed the lives of 99 individuals, according to End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin’s most recent annual report. 

“Domestic and intimate partner violence is a scourge in our state, and it’s something we must work to root out in every way we can. We’re excited today to join our world-champion Milwaukee Bucks in launching a new, statewide campaign to help raise awareness about domestic violence across Wisconsin. We have work to do to make sure Wisconsinites know the signs of abuse, know how to get help, and how to support a friend, coworker, or loved one who needs it,” said Gov. Evers. “No matter the situation, violence is never the answer, and this is an issue that’s darn urgent and important. Domestic and intimate partner violence affects families and communities across our state, and we must not accept that as a foregone conclusion. I’m proud to be partnering with our own Milwaukee Bucks to help prevent violence and save lives.”

“We’re proud to team up with Gov. Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to help raise awareness about domestic violence,” said Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum President Josh Glessing. “Our dedication to the community extends beyond basketball, and we’re grateful to have an opportunity to elevate this important issue and connect people with resources that can provide hope, safety, and support.”

“Domestic violence can happen to anyone. In Wisconsin, we are focused on preventing it and supporting those who experience it,” said Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary Kirsten Johnson. “We are grateful to be launching this campaign to help Wisconsinites learn how to recognize the signs of abuse and get them connected to resources and find the help they need.”  

In addition to statewide digital advertising, the “Real Love is Respect” campaign will be featured in a game night takeover when the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on Mon., Oct. 26, 2026. 
Respect Belongs in Every Relationship. Healthy Relationships are built on trust, support, and independence. Real Love is Respect Campaign Image. Know what healthy love looks like. Know the signs: open communication, independence, and safety. Real Love is Respect Campaign Image. Respect belongs in every relationship. You deserve a relationship where you can be yourself without fear. Real Love is Respect Campaign Image.

The “Real Love is Respect” campaign focuses on promoting healthy relationships built on respect and trust and reducing the stigma that can often prevent people from seeking help. Domestic and intimate partner violence remains a major driver of homicides of women in Wisconsin. According to End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, domestic violence homicides in Wisconsin jumped by 20 percent between 2021 and 2022. It was then that Wisconsin hit a new record high of 96 Wisconsinites murdered in domestic and intimate partner violence incidents—a record that, as noted above, only lasted until 2024, when a record 99 Wisconsinites were killed. According to data from the Wisconsin Violent Death Reporting System, in 2024, intimate partner violence was a contributing factor in over 53 percent of homicide deaths of women in the state.

There are many terms to describe violence and abuse that occurs in romantic relationships, including domestic violence, intimate partner violence, relationship abuse, and dating violence. These terms can have similar, overlapping, or even conflicting definitions. The terms all describe relationships with abuse and violence in intimate or romantic relationships, including family members, parents, kids, siblings, and pets. Domestic violence is not always physical and can include: 
  • Threats; 
  • Intimidation; 
  • Controlling money; 
  • Monitoring a phone or location; 
  • Isolating someone from friends and family; 
  • Sexual pressure; 
  • Emotional abuse; and 
  • Stalking or physical violence.

The “Real Love is Respect” campaign provides positive examples of healthy relationships, underscoring the importance of building relationships where both people have a voice and are able to make choices, set boundaries, spend time with others, have privacy, express feelings, and disagree in relationships without being threatened, controlled, or afraid.   

The “Real Love is Respect” campaign is also part of broad public awareness efforts by DHS to provide information and help connect Wisconsinites to resources for those who may be experiencing abuse, are concerned for someone else, or who are concerned they may be causing harm in their relationship. Earlier this year, DHS also released a statewide Injury and Violence Prevention Strategic Plan, highlighting intimate partner assault, which includes domestic and intimate partner violence, as one of the five topics of highest priority to Wisconsinites.

People who have domestic violence concerns of their own or have concerns about a friend or loved one can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788 for free, confidential support available 24/7. The hotline is available in more than 140 languages via an interpreter.  

To learn more about domestic violence prevention or to find additional resources, go to RealLoveIsRespect.wi.gov.  

EVERS ADMINISTRATION’S EFFORTS TO END CYCLES OF VIOLENCE, REDUCE CRIME, AND KEEP KIDS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES SAFE  
  
Over the past seven years, Gov. Evers has made addressing violence, including and especially domestic violence, a cornerstone priority of his administration and has directed more than $100 million of the state’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward community safety and violence prevention efforts, including $20 million to support Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant recipients. To support this critical work further, in 2024, Gov. Evers signed 2023 Wisconsin Act 241, which directed $10 million to support violence prevention and crime victim and survivor services, including providing funding for sexual assault victim services, domestic abuse grants, and child advocacy grants.   

Last year, Gov. Evers also signed Executive Order #254, creating a new statewide Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention, and in December, launched a new grant program, supported by approximately $10 million in federal funding directed by the governor, to support initiatives to help crack down on crime and prevent violence, including intimate partner and gun violence, across Wisconsin. Following overwhelming interest from violence prevention groups across the state, drawing over 460 applications for funding, Gov. Evers and the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention dedicated an additional $5 million in federal funding to expand the grants available to serve more communities. In March, Gov. Evers announced 73 grant awards to school districts, law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, firearm dealers, and government agencies across the state in five categories, with grants ranging from approximately $5,000 to a maximum of $1.5 million. More information about the State Violence Prevention Grant Program offered through the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention is available on the Wisconsin Department of Administration’s website. 

The governor’s 2025-27 Executive Budget requested over $13 million and seven new positions to make the office a permanent feature of state government. Unfortunately, Republican lawmakers did not include his proposal in the final budget bill sent to his desk last year.   

Gov. Evers’ 2025-27 Executive Budget request also included a $66 million investment over the biennium to support services for crime victims statewide and help critical victim service providers stay afloat after seeing significant recent reductions in federal funding under VOCA. Unfortunately, this full investment was not included in the final budget by Republican lawmakers, and agencies that provide direct support to victims have had to slash vital services—a dire situation only made worse by the Trump Administration’s continued efforts to deliberately gut federal support for social services programs that support families and victim services. In a letter sent to members of the Wisconsin State Legislature outlining the governor’s legislative priorities for 2026, Gov. Evers urged lawmakers to correct that wrong before the end of the current Legislative Session.   

Additionally, the governor’s letter also urged the Legislature to close a loophole in state law that allows domestic abusers to possess firearms before the end of this Legislative Session. According to End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, of the 99 domestic violence deaths in Wisconsin in 2024, 71 percent were caused by a firearm, and incidents involving a firearm were 12 times more likely to result in death. Moreover, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, the rate of gun deaths in Wisconsin has increased 16 percent from 2015 to 2024, and in every year since 2019, there have been more mass shootings than days in the year, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.  
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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