Kansas City organization calls domestic violence a citywide ‘community health crisis’
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - So far this year, Kansas City has seen 12 domestic violence-related homicides, the same number the city saw in all of 2024. The number caused city and county leaders to come together on Monday to address the shocking number.
“Last year, 1 out of 12 homicides that happened in our community had a connection to domestic violence,” said Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson. “This year it’s 1 in 3.″
Monday afternoon, the phones at Newhouse, a domestic violence shelter and organization, continued to ring. It was people calling asking for help.
“Having to hear a survivor say they were held at gunpoint with their child the night before and the shelter is full,” said Courtney Thomas, CEO and president of Newhouse. “That happens every single day.”
It’s reality for organizations like Newhouse across the metro area. Last month, Thomas said Newhouse raised the alarm on what they consider a community health crisis with city and county leaders, as well as law enforcement.
“Our community has known violence is an issue,” said Thomas. “Kansas City ranks 2nd in the state for the volume of domestic violence calls it receives. Missouri ranks in the top 10 deadliest states for women to be killed by their abs. So we have talked a lot about violence in our community and what we are ready to see is that we turn to working together to create the solutions.”
Newhouse has a 92-bed shelter that is consistently at capacity, as are other shelters helping men, women, and children escaping domestic violence situations.
KCTV5 spoke to several survivors about their stories, changing their names to maintain their safety.
“I found myself in a financial situation where I had to go back to my ab,” said Robin. “I didn’t see myself making it out again, but someone that I knew told me to call Newhouse. They got me out and I feel safe. I’m able to heal. I don’t think I would have been able to heal properly if they didn’t have the resources available within this shelter.”
“I filed for an ex parte, which was granted, and then moved into a full order of protection,” said Lisa. “My ab continued to violate that. I went to every official I could to alleviate the emotional stress it was putting me under, and I got no resolve. At the time I wasn’t brave enough to call a shelter for help. When I was ready, every shelter that I called was full. Around a month later I was accepted to Newhouse. It was very welcoming. Newhouse has brought me in and given me a sense of safety.”
Both had advice for those who may find themselves in an abusive relationship:
“Make a safety plan,” said Robin. “Find someone that you can confide in to help you carry that safety plan out. The thing about it is, we think we have time, and we don’t. Do what you can and heal yourself mind, body, and spirit. Don’t look back. Just keep moving forward.”
“Those of us who experience domestic violence within the home, robbing someone of your safety becomes so overwhelming and consuming to who you are as an individual whether you are a man, a child, or a woman,” said Lisa. “Safety is a long road I have ahead of me. Make the calls. Call daily. Do it safely and hang in there.”
Newhouse offers a wide range of services free of charge to survivors, ranging from legal help to therapy to childcare. With the need increasing in the area, organizations and shelters like Newhouse are turning to the community for help.
“We are always looking for people to volunteer at the shelter.,” said Thomas. “Financial resources are the number one need, especially as we are seeing other programmatic funds being cut.”
Thomas says she has invited community leaders to tour their shelter, talk to survivors, and advocates answering calls into the 24/7 hotline. She says it’s going to take everyone to address the problem and create a solution.
“We have a problem, but most importantly what are we going to do to solve the problem?” said Thomas.
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