Safety in the Spotlight: Drafting a Safer Green Bay

During the 2025 NFL Draft, We All Rise is taking bold steps to protect and uplift survivors.

As Green Bay prepares to host the 2025 NFL Draft, excitement is in the air. With national attention, packed hotels, and thousands of visitors expected, this moment offers celebration—but it also comes with concern. Events of this scale have historically resulted in spikes in domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

We’re not just aware of the risks—we’re ready.

At We All Rise: African American Resource Center, we’re mobilizing a trauma-informed response to ensure survivors are protected, seen, and supported in real time.

🚨 Why Draft Week Raises Risk

Nationally and locally, data paints a sobering picture:

• In 2024, the Green Bay Police Department reported 1,732 crimes against persons, including assault, battery, kidnapping, sexual offenses, robbery, and homicide—a nearly 20% increase from 2023. (Green Bay Press-Gazette)

• Wisconsin recorded 85 domestic violence-related deaths in 2023, the second-highest annual total ever documented in the state. (End Abuse Wisconsin)

• In Brown County in 2023, there were:

  • 435 reported cases of physical abuse

  • 238 reported cases of sexual abuse

  • 1,424 reports of child neglect. These numbers reflect deep-rooted challenges in household safety and crisis support. (Brown County HHS Report)

• As of August 2023, 60 households in Brown County were on a housing priority list due to fleeing domestic violence situations. (Bellin Community Health Assessment)

These numbers are not abstractions—they are community members, neighbors, and families navigating crisis.

🔍 Red Flags to Watch For

During high-energy, high-crowd events like the NFL Draft, it's important to know what harm can look like in public spaces:

• A person being closely watched, spoken for, or guided by someone else without freedom to speak

• Signs of confusion, intoxication, or fear—especially when isolated from friends

• Someone trying to leave an area but being blocked or coerced

• People interacting in ways that seem non-consensual, aggressive, or manipulative

• Individuals without access to transportation or communication who appear distressed

But it’s not just about what you see—it’s also about how you interpret it.

Sometimes, what keeps us from intervening effectively isn’t a lack of care—it’s bias. It’s assuming that someone who looks “put together” isn’t in danger, or that someone who doesn’t speak English must be “just confused,” or that a Black teenager being loud is a threat instead of a victim in need. Being aware of your own biases allows you to respond faster, more effectively, and more compassionately.

When lives are at stake, misreading a situation because of race, gender, class, or language can waste critical time—or worse, escalate harm. Choosing to check your assumptions isn’t just personal growth—it’s community care.

When in doubt—check in, or call for help.

✨ Our Response: Crisis Support in Motion

We All Rise has expanded our trauma-informed crisis response team to meet this moment. Here's what we're offering:

• On-call volunteers trained in culturally specific, survivor-centered support

• Real-time response at hospitals, shelters, hotels, and in the field

• Community-wide partnerships to ensure referrals, housing, and advocacy are available without delay

• Education and outreach to empower Green Bay residents with tools to recognize and respond to harm

We aren’t just responding to violence. We are building a city that prevents it.

📣 What You Can Do

We need your help to keep our community safe:

• 📲 Share our 24/7 Crisis Line: Call or text 920-600-4313 for confidential, trauma-informed support.

• 💵 Donate to fund a crisis response shift. Every dollar helps us reach survivors faster.

• 🧡 Volunteer sign up to volunteer at our agency and support our mission.

• 📣 Spread awareness. Share this post and follow us @weallriseaarc on social media.

❤️ From Robin Scott, Executive Director

“We’re proud to be proactive—not reactive. When the world turns its eyes to Green Bay, we make sure survivors are seen, protected, and supported. That’s the work of rising together.”

🔗 Learn More & Get Support

📞 Call or text our 24/7 support line at 920-600-4313

🌐 Visit weallriseaarc.org

🧡 Volunteer. Donate. Share.