2017 Statistics Show Increases in Homicides and Rapes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) recently released “Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Sexual Assault in Kansas as Reported by Law Enforcement Agencies” report for 2017, showing the highest numbers of domestic violence-related homicides and rapes reported to law enforcement in the past 20 years.

There were 38 domestic violence-related homicides in Kansas in 2017. These deaths represent over 20 percent of the total number of homicides within that year.

There were also 1,239 rapes were reported to Kansas law enforcement in 2017.

As direct victim advocacy services providers know, these numbers represent only a part of the picture of domestic violence and sexual assault in Kansas. These organizations served 3,882 survivors of sexual assault in Kansas in 2017.

Reduced numbers are not likely for 2018 counts. One local victim advocacy services organization alone is serving over 1,800 rape victims annually, responding to the local hospital 50 times for sexual assault examinations in one month – which is almost twice a day each day.

Although KBI’s 2017 report shows a 1.3 percent decrease in the number of domestic violence incidents from 2016 to 2017, this report only reflects reported incidents. Some law enforcement agencies’ numbers were not reported and included.

“The counts are alarming. Sexual and domestic violence is underreported. While much work is being done statewide by law enforcement and victim advocates to reach out to victims and assure resources are available across the state, there are still many, many victims who never tell anyone about abuse and violence inflicted upon them,” said KCSDV Executive Director Joyce Grover.

In 2017, KCSDV collected data from sexual and domestic violence victim advocacy services organizations located across Kansas that indicated the organizations:

• answered 39,367 crisis hotline calls
• provided face-to-face advocacy services to 16,880 survivors
• provided medical advocacy services to 1,759 survivors
• sheltered 2,839 adults and children
• served a total of 59,481 people in local Kansas communities

“For every survivor who reaches out for services, there are countless others who aren’t receiving services. For those who are attempting to leave their abusers, they are facing increased risks for violence, including murder,” Grover said.

KCSDV urges all communities to assess what they can do to create safer and more immediate responses for victims and survivors and their children. As individuals, there is something everyone can do: Share the Kansas Crisis Hotline number, 888-END-ABUS(E), and be ready to make a referral, providing victims with contact information of their local victim advocacy services organization, which can be found at https://www.kcsdv.org/.

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The Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV) is Kansas’ leading statewide voice for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence. KCSDV works with about 27 coalition members and with partners to prevent and eliminate sexual and domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Find more information on KCSDV’s website at https://www.kcsdv.org/. Contact KCSDV by message at https://www.kcsdv.org/contact.html and by phone at 785-232-9784.

The 24-hour Kansas Crisis Hotline is 888-END-ABUSE (888-363-2287).