Reimagining Justice: Building the Victim Retribution Network to Protect Black Women and Girls in Milwaukee

The Problem We Can No Longer Ignore

Milwaukee has a serious issue—one that Black women and girls face every single day. We’re not just victims of violence; we’re victims of a broken system. A system that dismisses our pain, ignores our voices, and leaves us to fend for ourselves.

In 2023, 21 women were killed under abusive circumstances in Milwaukee. Of those, 17 were Black women. That’s over 80%—a staggering number that exposes the harsh truth: Black women in this city face disproportionate levels of violence and systemic neglect.

When we seek help, we’re often met with skepticism, blamed for our circumstances, or turned away altogether. The justice system, law enforcement, and social services have repeatedly shown that they aren’t built to protect or prioritize Black women and girls.

This isn’t just a failure of policy or policing—it’s a failure of the very systems that are supposed to keep us safe.

Why It Matters to Everyone

When Black women and girls are ignored, the entire community suffers. Families are torn apart, trust in institutions erodes, and cycles of violence continue unchecked.

The dangers of inaction are clear:

• Perpetrators Walk Free: Without proper accountability, abusers are emboldened to harm again.
  
• Survivors Are Left Unprotected: Victims remain vulnerable, silenced, and without the support they neeThe Problem We Can No Longer Ignored to heal.
  
• Generational Trauma Is Passed Down: Communities can’t thrive when trauma is left unaddressed, creating lasting harm for future generations.
  

This crisis demands a solution—one that centers Black women and girls, addresses systemic failures, and rebuilds trust in our communities.

Introducing the Vision for the Victim Retribution Network (VRN)

The Victim Retribution Network is my response to this crisis. I’m Ebony Knight, and I’ve seen firsthand how the system fails Black women and girls. When my own daughter became a victim, I fought tirelessly for justice, only to encounter resistance, disbelief, and indifference at every turn.

That fight showed me that we need more than just reform. We need a movement. The VRN will be that movement—a network that fights for justice, healing, and accountability.

What the VRN Will Do

The VRN is designed to tackle these issues from every angle: advocacy, healing, and community rebuilding.

1. Advocacy for Systemic Change

• Work with policymakers to implement stronger protections for victims, harsher penalties for offenders, and mandatory victim notification laws.
  
• Provide survivors with legal resources and guidance to navigate a system that often works against them.
  

2. Healing Through Trauma-Informed Programs2

• Launch the Ebony Unapologetic Healing Sanctuary, offering mindfulness practices, expressive writing workshops, and community support groups designed specifically for Black women and girls.
  
• Provide survivors with safe spaces to process their trauma, rebuild their confidence, and regain their strength.
  

3. Rebuilding Community Connections

• Introduce initiatives like the Clean Streets Program, where residents come together to clean and beautify their neighborhoods. These efforts foster pride, unity, and a sense of ownership in the community.
  
• Host workshops that teach leadership and advocacy skills, empowering survivors to become agents of change in their own communities.

A Social Contract That Works for Us

The idea of the “social contract” says that we all have a responsibility to protect one another and uphold justice. But for Black women and girls in Milwaukee, that contract has been broken.

The Victim Retribution Network will work to restore it—ensuring that survivors are heard, protected, and empowered. This is about more than fixing what’s broken; it’s about creating a system that finally works for the people it has failed for too long.

How You Can Help Build the VRN

This is where you come in. The Victim Retribution Network is still in its early stages, but with your support, we can bring this vision to life. Here’s how you can help:

• Spread the Word: Share our mission and vision with your networks. Awareness is the first step toward action.
  
• Donate: Your contributions will help fund essential programs and resources to support survivors and push for systemic change.
  
• Get Invovled: Whether it’s volunteering your time or lending your voice to advocacy efforts, your involvement will make a difference.
  

Together, We Can Make a Difference

The fight for justice isn’t just about fixing the past—it’s about building a better future. The Victim Retribution Network is the first step in that journey.

Let’s create a world where Black women and girls are safe, supported, and empowered. A world where survivors are no longer ignored but celebrated for their resilience.

This is our chance to change the story. Are you ready to join us? Go to the home page and leave your information in the contact section and I'll be sure to respond. Want to start donating today. Click the link below to donate or scan the QR Code on the home page.  https://gofund.me/e9b6ecb4