TOPEKA – An influx of cash means clothing, food and raises for staff at a Topeka-based program that provides services to victims of domestic and sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking.
The YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment received $100,000 from Aetna, a CVS Health company, to support its operations. The money comes at a welcome time for the centre, which has had to “scramble” for funding in the past.
“It’s not uncommon for us to have to scramble,” said Kathleen Marker, CEO of YWCA Northeast Kansas. “This contribution and the ability to increase salaries for our shelter staff will have a huge impact, as it has been difficult for us to increase salaries when we are limited by federal and community grants.”
The donation will be used to increase funding for basic necessities such as toiletries and clothing, to support shelter management by increasing staff salaries, and to fund outreach programs that teach survivors how to enroll in Medicaid, food assistance and other government programs.
“It is going to take all of us working together to make a difference,” said Muna Enshiwat, chief medical officer for Aetna Better Health of Kansas.
The YWCA centre, which has 19 beds, is also preparing to add 30 beds by March. People typically stay for about 30 days, but sometimes they need months of additional support, said programme director Becca Spielman. An estimated 350 people a year use the space, Spielman said.
“It gets a little chaotic at times,” Spielman said. “Our staff has to navigate and wear a lot of hats. Being able to compensate them in a way that they deserve is really important to retain staff.”
Part of the centre’s work involves dispelling misconceptions about domestic and sexual violence.
“A lot of times people assume it looks a certain way,” says Spielman. “But the reality is there’s a lot of nuance, it’s a very complicated, complex kind of experience for people.”
“The more we’re out there talking about the realities of sexual assault and sexual violence, the more people know that we’re a resource, the more people are starting to come forward because they feel safe doing so,” she added.
In 2022, the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office reported 1,193 domestic violence referrals and 778 domestic violence cases filed, with 192 of those cases reported as successfully prosecuted.
During the same period, the Topeka Police Department reported 1,764 domestic violence calls and 872 cases that resulted in domestic violence arrests by law enforcement. The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office reported 273 domestic violence calls and 117 domestic violence arrests in 2022.
The centre reported helping 869 Shawnee County residents between January and June 2022. During that time, the Kansas Department of Corrections had less than a quarter of the center’s outreach, providing services to 108 domestic violence victims in the county.
“I think about situations where people have been put in incredibly traumatic, isolating situations where they don’t have or feel they don’t have any other options,” Spielman said. “We’re encouraging the community to respond earlier, so that we don’t have situations where people feel like they have no choice but to escape in any way that they can see. Advocacy provides that support.”
