Kansas City, MO Financial Abuse

(Kansas City, MO) Financial Abuse:  A very common form of domestic violence, but seldom talked about, is financial abuse. While I was married, my husband opened a savings account “in his name only” where he deposited his check. Then he handed money to me to cover the house payment and utilities. Groceries and childcare were covered by my paychecks.  Doctor bills, school clothes & supplies for our children and anything beyond the minimum basics, I had to request and justify the need of additional money from HIS account ... almost weekly.

My wardrobe, including underwear, consisted of almost all hand-me-downs and thrift store finds. Our children got new clothes at the beginning of each school year and Christmas.  Financial abuse is just 1 small piece of domestic violence, but a very important one. To learn financial abuse and other aspects of abuse, visit HALTfamilyabuse.org to register for the upcoming “Guiding Families to Safety Conference” on October 11th or visit the workshop listing on Eventbrite at http://bit.ly/1wFR41O.

Domestic Violence - Why Doesn't She Just Leave?

Domestic Violence - A question often asked by people is, “Why doesn’t she just leave?”  

When victims choose to leave abusers, violence by their intimate terrorists increases exponentially. When you hear on the news about a husband murdering his wife, it is often when she has left him or filed for divorce. 

The answer to why she doesn't just leave is actually a multi-faceted question and will be answered with a dramatic performance by Becky Everly, a Professional Storyteller, at the “Guiding Families to Safety Conference at Leawood Baptist Church on Saturday, 10/11/2014. At this educational event, 4 types of abuse will be discussed (child abuse, teen dating violence, domestic violence and elder abuse).

Register for this free workshop at HALTfamilyabuse.org or http://bit.ly/1wFR41O

Leawood Baptist Church 

8200 State Line Rd

Leawood, KS 66206

Saturday October 11, 2014

8:30am - 4:00pm

Continental Breakfast & Lunch included. The workshop is free to attend, but donations will be accepted to cover the cost of workbooks and food.

Abuse Prevention - Kansas City

Abuse Prevention - EVERY day in America 4-5 women die at the hands of intimate partners – 2 of these have occurred in Kansas City in 2014. On 9/11/2014 KMBC9 News reported that 3,600 domestic violence calls have been responded to by the Kansas City Police so far this year. I, for one, am proud to live in a city where the KC Council passed a domestic violence ordinance empowering the police to arrest defendants who violate temporary protection orders.  

Monica Mayberry of the Rose Brooks Center said, "They have time, time to persuade the petitioners to drop the case or maybe not to go to court. Maybe not even follow through with an order of protection."  Mayberry also said, “When they (defendants) violate an ex parte order, it can take weeks or even a month or two before they see any accountability." The interim between temporary to permanent protection orders left victims move vulnerable to their intimate terrorists before this ordinance went into effect.  

If preventing abuse is important to you and you live in Kansas City, call, write a letter, or email the Council saying “THANK YOU” to them for this courageous action they have taken. Then, attend the “Guiding Families to Safety Workshop” on 10/11/2014 to learn to identify the signs of abuse to children, teens, domestic partners and senior citizens in your life. Register at HALTfamilyabuse.org or http://bit.ly/1wFR41O

Kansas City Ordinance Helps Stop Abuse

HOORAY for the Kansas City Council.  HOORAY!!!  They passed a new city ordinance closing dangerous loopholes in temporary protection orders.  KMBC9 News reported Councilman Scott Taylor saying, "The assailant will, after the initial abuse, make contact again and sweet talk and try and get back into the lives and build trust so the person that is abused does not press charges.  This is an important way to stop that."  

The new ordinance allows the city to move faster in arresting violators and doubling fines of the perpetrators during the interim between temporary and permanent protection orders. It also protects victims and gives abusers fewer opportunities to manipulate the petitioner out of following through with getting the permanent protection order. 

To learn more about child abuse, teen dating violence, domestic violence and elder abuse visit HALTfamilyabuse.org and register for the free upcoming “Guiding Families to Safety Conference on Saturday, 10/11/2014.

Ray Rice Opens Conversations Up About Abuse

Recent arrests of NFL players, Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and Jonathan Dwyer has gotten the public in an uproar bringing family abuse to the forefront of people’s minds. Do you know how to identify children, teens, intimate partners and senior citizens that are possible victims of abuse? How extensive is your knowledge of these four abuses? 

You can learn ways to initiate conversations with possible victims and how to respond to abuse at “Guiding Families to Safety Conference” on Saturday, 10/11/2014.  Safety for victims and yourself is essential in every situation. Register at HALTfamilyabuse.org or http://bit.ly/1wFR41O.