We Support
Young adult Dane County survivors of gender violence.
By making it easier for them to connect with post-assault support, no matter their income, race, gender, sexual identity, religion, or primary language.
Dane County survivor service providers.
By making it easier for them to work efficiently, effectively, and collaboratively.
What We Do
DaneMAC aims to transform the way our community supports survivors.
No single organization can meet the expansive and complex health and wellness needs of survivors in Dane County. Collaboration, connectivity, and creativity are key to improving our community response to sexual violence. PATH by DaneMAC is doing just that.
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We believe empowerment starts with making it easy for survivors to choose the help they need. We are working to reduce practical, socioeconomic, systemic, and cultural barriers to support and we're connecting support services to each other. By making community resources more accessible, DaneMAC improves the way our community supports young adult survivors of sexual violence and, in turn, the way survivors process their experience.
Why We’re Here
We all have a stake in the problem and the solutions.
1 in 3 women identify as a victim of gender-based violence. Gender-based violence persists as a global public health crisis that infiltrates every community. And its trauma harms the short and long-term well-being of survivors in many ways.
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Dane County, like most communities, has historically responded to this crisis by adding more and more options for post-assault support services in an effort to meet the diverse needs of survivors. Our community pours money into this ever-growing list of options without collectively evaluating the effectiveness of this approach. Despite the existence of robust local support services, survivors still say that they cannot get access to the help they want.
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Unless it's easy for survivors to learn about and access their options for support, adding more to the list of choices can confuse rather than empower survivors.
How We Got Here
Our co-founders, Rachel and Kim, have spent decades working directly with hundreds of survivors attempting to navigate Dane County’s complex web of support services. We came together with the goal to improve collaboration, services, and outcomes for survivors of gender-based violence in our community.
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Listening and learning is the very foundation of DaneMAC. Since 2013, we’ve been studying how other communities around the world approach post-assault care. Instead of imposing our own preconceived ideas about how to centralize support for survivors here in Dane County, we started by spending more than two years collecting data, collaborating with stakeholders, and surveying survivors before solidifying our plans for action.
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We’ve built our mission, vision, values, and strategic plan upon what we’ve learned. Through that extensive research and community engagement, DaneMAC identified our three overarching areas of focus which best reflect the currently unmet accessibility needs of survivors and support providers in Dane County.
We also know that our plans can’t be static: DaneMAC needs to be nimble and adaptable alongside our ever-changing community. Our constant community feedback loop will help ensure that we’re always responsive to the needs of survivors and service providers.
Who We Are
Our Steering Committees
We offered two solutions-oriented forums for local stakeholders to connect, collaborate, debate, and brainstorm about improving survivor support. Their work and input ensured that DaneMAC meets the needs of both survivors and service providers alike.
Service Provider Steering Committee
comprised of leaders of agencies, systems, and organizations that provide direct supportive services to survivors in Dane County.
Survivor Steering Committee
brings together survivors with diverse lived and assault experiences in Dane County. At regular meetings, this group will collaborate on the development of DaneMAC plans and provide feedback on DaneMAC initiatives, with a particular focus on inclusivity.
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Our Board of Directors
Kim Curran is a nurse practitioner with 15 years of experience working with survivors of sexual assault. During her work in the field, she has won awards for leadership, nursing, and is a published author. She and Rachel co-founded DaneMAC in 2018.
Kim Curran
Co-Founder
Meet Our Nurses
Kim
"I do this work because I'm driven to make a difference in the world. Forensic care provides me the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life during a a traumatic time. The exam is a moment to give control back to a survivor."
Marta
"As a forensic nurse, I have the opportunity to be present for a patient at a time of trauma and distress. By providing compassionate and evidence- based whole-person care, I can help patients start their healing process by empowering, educating, listening, and providing the resources they need."
Heather
"I aim to help others during a difficult moment in their lives. By supporting, listening, and educating on their options I hope to meet a patients goals/need."
Meg
"I am honored to provide compassionate care to Survivors as they begin their journey of healing. Through education and empowerment, I am driven to help positively impact physical and emotional wellbeing."
Questions?
What is gender-based violence?
Do you only help women?
No, we support all survivors of gender-based violence. Although most survivors identify as female, anyone–of any sexual orientation or gender identity–can be harmed by gender-based violence.
Gender-based violence is an umbrella term that refers to any act of violence or abuse committed against someone because of their gender. The United Nations defines it as “physical, sexual or psychological harm” towards an invididual based on their gender.
Along with any form of physical violence, it also includes other forms of abuse such as threats, stalking, trafficking, verbal, financial, and cultural coercion. Gender-based violence is a world-wide human rights and public health crisis that impacts every community and demographic.
Where are you located?
We provide exams at Planned Parenthood - South and UHS (UW Madison). The rest of our work happens virtually.
How is the work you’re doing different than other service providers?
Our work doesn’t duplicate what other service providers are offering. Instead, we are focused on developing new solutions to bridge the gaps between survivor and support.
Do you require participation in the criminal justice system?
No. DaneMAC supports survivor-led empowerment, which affirms that–for many– engaging with law enforcement or the criminal justice system may be harmful (oppressive?) rather than restorative.
Why can’t I access MAP?
DaneMAP is currently only available to college students in Dane County. We are working hard to expand access for non-students in the future.
How can I get a copy of my mobile FNE records?
Medical records are privileged and confidential. That means a patient is entitled to access their own records, but we will not share those records with anyone else without the patient's permission. To obtain a Release of Information form and to return a completed, signed form, email kim.curran@danecenter.org. We'll then process your request and forward the records to the person identified on the release form.
