Reporting Stalking to Wisconsin Officials
Every hotline, state agency, and court resource you need to report stalking in Wisconsin.
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How to use this guide
This guide covers statewide Wisconsin resources: the government agencies, hotlines, and courts that serve every county. Each section also tells you how to find the right local office near you.
Start here: Wisconsin's Office of Crime Victim Services (1-800-446-6564) is one call for compensation, the Safe at Home address program, and victim rights information.
Before you call: have your documentation ready — dates, what happened, any messages or photos saved, and whether a report has already been filed elsewhere.
If you're in danger: call 911 first. Every other number in this guide is for follow-up support, not emergency response.
Emergency & Immediate Danger
Emergency — Police, Fire, Medical
911
Call if you are in immediate danger, right now.
Wisconsin State Patrol
Via wisconsindot.gov
For non-emergency matters outside local police jurisdiction.
WI Dept. of Corrections — Victim Services
1-800-947-5777
Notification and support if a stalker is under state supervision.
Can't speak safely? In areas where Text-to-911 is supported, you can text instead of calling — check with your mobile carrier for coverage in your county.
Wisconsin — Statewide Agencies
WI Dept. of Justice — Office of Crime Victim Services
1-800-446-6564
Victims only · local (608) 264-9497 · TTY 1-800-947-3529 · weekdays 7:45am–4:30pm · connects you to Crime Victim Compensation, Safe at Home, or the Victim Resource Center (option 2).
doj.state.wi.us/ocvs ↗Wisconsin Safe at Home (Address Confidentiality Program)
1-800-446-6564
Run by the Dept. of Justice for victims of abuse, stalking, and trafficking — choose the Safe at Home option.
doj.state.wi.us ↗Wisconsin Court System — Restraining Order Forms
Via wicourts.gov
Official forms and instructions for harassment and domestic abuse restraining orders.
wicourts.gov ↗Reporting to Local Police & Sheriffs
Stalking is usually reported to the police department in the city where you live or work, or to your county sheriff outside city limits.
Your local police department (non-emergency line)
Dial 911, or search “[your city] police non-emergency”
Stalking can be reported at any city police department or county sheriff's office.
Your county sheriff's office
Varies by county
Primary law enforcement in unincorporated parts of Wisconsin.
Your county Circuit Court
Find yours via wicourts.gov
File a harassment restraining order and injunction under Wisconsin Statute 813.125.
Good to know: you can file a report at any police department, not only the one nearest the stalker. Ask for the officer's name, a complaint or case number, and how to follow up.
Restraining Orders in Wisconsin
Harassment restraining order and injunction: the order for stalking and harassment under Wisconsin Statute 813.125, including by someone you have no domestic relationship with.
Domestic abuse restraining order: used instead when the stalker is a spouse, partner, family member, or household member (Wis. Stat. 813.12).
Stalking is a crime: Wisconsin Statute 940.32 makes stalking a crime, so you can also report it to police — compensation is available even if no one is arrested or convicted.
Where to file
Your county Circuit Court — the clerk's office can explain the process.
Step-by-Step: What to Expect
Filing a Police Report
- 1Go to any police department or county sheriff's office — you do not have to go to the one nearest the stalker.
- 2Ask to speak with an officer and say clearly that you want to report stalking or harassment.
- 3Bring your documentation: dates, messages, photos, and names of any witnesses.
- 4Ask for the report's complaint number before you leave, and request a copy if possible.
- 5Ask about victim assistance resources — many departments have a victim advocate or can refer you to the Office of Crime Victim Services.
Getting a Protective Order
- 1Contact your county Circuit Court clerk and ask for the harassment restraining order and injunction forms.
- 2Describe each incident with as much detail as possible — dates, what happened, and any pattern you've noticed.
- 3File the petition with the clerk; a judge can issue a temporary restraining order, with a hearing to follow.
- 4Attend the hearing, where the court decides whether to issue an injunction.
- 5Keep a copy of any order with you, at home, and at work.
Specialized Support
Child abuse or neglect (county-based)
Varies by county
Wisconsin handles reports through county child protective services — find your county's agency via dcf.wisconsin.gov, or call 911 in an emergency.
Adults at risk (county-based)
Varies by county
Report abuse or neglect of an elder or adult at risk through your county's Adult Protective Services or Aging and Disability Resource Center — find yours via dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Quick-Reference Contact Sheet
| Agency | Phone | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency — Police, Fire, Medical | 911 | Emergency |
| Wisconsin State Patrol | Via wisconsindot.gov | Emergency |
| WI Dept. of Corrections — Victim Services | 1-800-947-5777 | Emergency |
| WI Dept. of Justice — Office of Crime Victim Services | 1-800-446-6564 | Statewide |
| Wisconsin Safe at Home (Address Confidentiality Program) | 1-800-446-6564 | Statewide |
| Wisconsin Court System — Restraining Order Forms | Via wicourts.gov | Statewide |
| Child abuse or neglect (county-based) | Varies by county | Specialized |
| Adults at risk (county-based) | Varies by county | Specialized |
Frequently Asked Questions — Reporting Stalking in Wisconsin
How do I report stalking in Wisconsin?
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, file a report with your local police department or county sheriff's office — you do not have to go to the one nearest the stalker. Bring dates, messages, photos, and witness names, and ask for the complaint or case number before you leave.
What should I do first if I think I'm being stalked in Wisconsin?
Stop engaging and start documenting. Save every message, call log, and screenshot with dates and times, and keep a written log of each incident. Then report it to local law enforcement using the contacts in this guide, and call 911 any time you are in immediate danger.
How do I get a protective order in Wisconsin?
Harassment restraining order and injunction: the order for stalking and harassment under Wisconsin Statute 813.125, including by someone you have no domestic relationship with. Domestic abuse restraining order: used instead when the stalker is a spouse, partner, family member, or household member (Wis. Stat. 813.12). Stalking is a crime: Wisconsin Statute 940.32 makes stalking a crime, so you can also report it to police — compensation is available even if no one is arrested or convicted.
Is there a fee to file a protective order in Wisconsin?
Filing fees vary by court in Wisconsin, but many protection-order petitions for stalking victims are free or fee-waived. The court listed in this guide can confirm the current fee before you file.
Can I get financial help for stalking-related costs in Wisconsin?
Yes — Wisconsin has a crime victim compensation program that may help cover medical, counseling, and lost-wage costs. See the statewide agencies section of this guide for the contact.
What counts as stalking under Wisconsin law?
Stalking is a repeated pattern of unwanted conduct — following you, repeated calls, texts, or messages, showing up uninvited, tracking your location, or making threats — that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety. In Wisconsin, a protective order is generally available regardless of your relationship to the stalker.
Can I report stalking in Wisconsin if the stalker lives in another state?
Yes. File the report where you live or where the stalking occurred. If the behavior crosses state lines, tell the officer — some cases may involve cross-jurisdiction or federal enforcement.
Can I report stalking anonymously in Wisconsin?
You can submit tips anonymously through statewide hotlines, and many child and adult abuse hotlines accept anonymous reports. For a criminal case, your name may need to appear on the report — ask the agency about its confidentiality policy.
What evidence should I save when reporting stalking in Wisconsin?
Save every message, email, voicemail, screenshot, and call log with dates and times; keep a written incident log; and note any witnesses. Back everything up to a secure location the stalker cannot access.
Where can I download the printable Wisconsin reporting guide?
You can download the free Wisconsin reporting guide as a PDF at https://www.stalking.org/Stalking.org-Reporting-to-Wisconsin-Officials.pdf. It includes every phone number and court contact in one printable sheet.
Disclaimer
The information on Stalking.org is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, medical advice, or mental-health advice, and it does not create an attorney-client or other professional relationship. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 (United States) or your local emergency number — Stalking.org is not a crisis hotline. Laws and platform policies change frequently, so always consult a qualified attorney, law enforcement officer, or licensed professional about your specific situation.
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