HEART Program brings immediate, compassionate support to domestic violence victims in Vernon County (WXOW)

VIROQUA, Wis. (WXOW) — Vernon County’s domestic violence response initiative has been helping victims for three years by providing immediate support at crime scenes.

In 2023, Vernon County received a grant to create the Help End Abuse Response Team, known as the HEART Program. The program was modeled after a system in San Antonio, Texas.

“We actually had the women who have run that for 25 years come up and train us on what their response team looks like,” said Janice Turban, Domestic Abuse Project Coordinator at Family & Children’s Center.

The response team includes 22 volunteers across the county who are alerted during domestic violence calls. After law enforcement secures the scene, dispatch sends volunteers to help the victim.

“They have someone that can let them know what is out there for them to help, if they should choose to want it,” Turban said. “And they have someone who can care for them emotionally in that moment.”

Amanda Running, a HEART volunteer and first responder, said her role as a volunteer is different from her usual work.

“We’re not coming in a uniform, we’re not coming with a suit jacket on, right? I mean, we’re coming just as a fellow community member to offer them assistance,” Running said.

The volunteers provide victims a chance to process the situation. Running said some victims want to talk about unrelated topics as a way to unwind from what just happened.

The program also offers hope for the future. Turban said volunteers inform victims that arrested spouses will be referred to an offender program, which has improved some situations.

A recent grant allows Vernon County to continue the program for years to come.

Those interested in becoming a HEART volunteer can call the Domestic Abuse Project at (608) 688-2312.

Article originally appeared on WXOW on March 23, 2026.