State Coalition Grieves in Wake of School Shooting, Calls for Firearms Regulation

Madison –December 20, 2024 – In the wake of the December 16, 2024 school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin (End Abuse) again urges cultural and legal shifts that prevent children from being murdered in their schools and homes.

In their demand for public policy measures that ensure the public health and safety of our communities statewide, the coalition – whose focus is on ending domestic violence in Wisconsin – notes the elevated risk of death survivors face when harm-doers have access to firearms and the link between mass shootings and domestic violence. These links have been highlighted previously by the coalition, whose website notes that – according to the American Journal of Public Health – a woman is five times more likely to be murdered when her abuser has access to a gun.

“Our statewide violence prevention initiative centers youth voices in shaping change, and demonstrates our commitment to preventing violence at the roots,” said End Abuse Executive Director Monique Minkens. “Children exposed to violence are at increased risk of substance abuse, mental health struggles, and engaging in violent behavior – including dating and intimate partner violence. Research shows us that this isn’t solved by increasing police presence in the form of school resource officers. Thoughts and prayers, as has been said repeatedly in the wake of school shootings, are not enough. Our legislators must act, now.”

According to End Abuse’s annual Domestic Violence Homicide Report, firearms remain the most common means of perpetrating domestic violence homicides; firearms were the weapons used in 78% of domestic violence deaths in 2023. As reported by Everytown for Gun Safety, firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens. End Abuse routinely includes firearms regulation in their statewide public policy advocacy as a top priority for lawmakers to enact to protect survivors and the public more broadly.

“We grieve for the children, families, and community surrounding this tragedy,” said Minkens. “As an organization tasked with preventing violence, we know our communities – our children – deserve to live without the fear of gun violence in their homes and schools, which should be places of safety. Our state joins countless others in saying: We are failing children across this country by not facing the reality of our firearms crisis. Either we act, or more kids die.”

For those experiencing domestic or sexual violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1−800−799−7233), the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673), and the Hmong Family Strengthening Helpline (1-877-740-4292) are available 24/7 for support. A list of local Wisconsin domestic violence victim service providers can be found at www.endabusewi.org/get-help. A list of local WI sexual assault victim service providers can be found at www.wcasa.org/survivors/service-providers. A list of local WI Black and Brown culturally-specific domestic violence and sexual assault victim resources can be found at www.bbwpcoalition.org/resources-in-wi.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.