Kansas Domestic Abuse Laws and How to Get Help for Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse involves any kind of bullying, threatening, controlling or violent behavior between those in a relationship. However, it is to be noted here that domestic abuse doesn’t just mean physical violence; it also includes financial, emotional, sexual and psychological abuse.
Domestic abuse is not uncommon and it is known to be prevalent across the globe; it is no different in Kansas but those that go through it should understand that there are laws pertaining to the same and the abuser can be dealt with severely. In other words, there is no need to keep mum or suffer in silence. Women and children are often more prone to domestic abuse and it is highly recommended that such people stand up to their rights and make sure legal action is taken against the domestic abusers.
Domestic abuse is not uncommon and it is known to be prevalent across the globe; it is no different in Kansas but those that go through it should understand that there are laws pertaining to the same and the abuser can be dealt with severely. In other words, there is no need to keep mum or suffer in silence. Women and children are often more prone to domestic abuse and it is highly recommended that such people stand up to their rights and make sure legal action is taken against the domestic abusers.
Kansas Domestic Abuse Law
Kansas has several laws that cover domestic abuse. These laws are intended to protect family members from abuse. Family members may be spouses, parents, children, stepparents or stepchildren. Household members can also be persons that have lived or living together or in a relationship.
In Kansas, domestic abuse or violence is the act of behaving violently against a household/family member. For instance, if an abuser vandalizes an ex-spouse’s vehicle, it is considered domestic violence since the act was directed at a household member.
Help for domestic abuse in Kansas
Help for domestic abuse in Kansas
Legal help is always available for victims of domestic abuse in Kansas. There are also several non-profits and emergency services that are working round the clock to offer immediate help to such survivors. Some of them are:
- Rose Brooks Center: Hotline 816-861-6100
- Kansas City Anti-Violence Project: Hotline 816-561-0550
- Newhouse Inc: Hotline 816-471-5800
These centers offer financial and legal assistance services, housing services, counseling, children’s services, and other support.
A few other domestic violence programs in the state of Kansas are as follows:
- Domestic violence association of central Kansas, Salina Ph: (785) 539 2785
- Crisis Center of Dodge City, Dodge City Ph: (620) 225-6510
- Family Crisis Services, Garden City. Ph: (620) 275 2018
- Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Inc., Hays Ph: (785) 625 4202
- SOS, Inc. Emporia Ph: (620) 342-1870
- Liberal Area Rape Crisis and DV Services, Liberal Ph: (620) 6248818
The Kansas administration is going full length to provide help to the domestic abuse survivors. Victims can also seek an order of protection from the court that forbids the domestic abuser from getting close to the victim. If a protective or restraining order is violated by the domestic abuser, he can be charged with a $1,000 fine along with a 1-year prison term. Generally, a restraining order is quickly granted by the court to ensure the safety of the victims.
Kansas Domestic Abuse Statistics
Kansas Domestic Abuse Statistics
- Kansas law enforcement agencies accelerated the arrest rate in domestic abuse cases from 31% to 54% between 1992-2012.
- Many of the domestic abuse victims do not report their suffering to law enforcement agencies. However, agencies in Kansas have reported having responded to 23,508 cases in 2013.
- The number of domestic violence homicides rose to 30 in the year 2013 in Kansas. This comprises 25% of the total homicides in Kansas.
- Statistics clearly show that 1 out of 3 women and 1 out of every 4 men have suffered some kind of physical violence by a partner.
- Domestic abuse hotlines in Kansas, on average, receive 15 calls/ minute.
- Intimate partner abuse accounts for 15 percent of all violent abuses.
- Possession of a gun in the family/home increases homicide risk by 500%.
- A large percentage of the victims are females.
