KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A new room at the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department will be used to interview survivors of sexual assault and trauma.

The ‘soft room’ is the first of its kind in Missouri.

An organization called Project Beloved has set up over 100 soft rooms nationwide. The most recent room put into service isi n Kansas City.

“I’m really excited for Kansas City to have this room, and to set that precedent in this area for their approach to sexual assault,” said Becky Halterman, Project Beloved vice president.

Halterman has personal ties to Project Beloved’s cause.

“Project Beloved was started April 10, 2018, a year to the day after my niece, Molly Jane Matheson was found raped and murdered,” Halterman. Her sister, Tracy Mathesan, is the founder and Molly’s mother.

Rachel Henderson/KSHB 41

The organization seeks to educate the public and advocate for sexual assault survivors so they’re empowered to find their voices through the support they’re given.

“There’s a lot more progress that needs to be made, starting from a place of believing,” Halterman said. “Let’s invite them into this room, have them tell their story, investigate it, and find out what we can do.”

Zachary Mallory understands just how much progress is necessary.

“I was sexually assaulted at 17,” Mallory said. “I know what it felt like to be not believed. I know what it felt like to be unheard and to be re-victimized.”

A decade later, Mallory’s found love and safe spaces in his partner, his dog and community involvement. But that doesn’t mean he’s forgotten what he went through, particularly in interview rooms.

“Sitting in that room and just listening to them ask me questions, I’m like, ‘Why am I here?’” he said. “Sitting in fluorescent lights is not going to be a good situation, it’s going to make me more frustrated, it’s going to make me very uncomfortable, and I’m going to be very agitated.”

Tye Grant is President and CEO of the Police Foundation of Kansas City.

As a former high-ranking member of the police department, he recalls how straightforward interview rooms were during his time.

Rachel Henderson/KSHB 41

“An interview room is built just to do that – interview somebody,” Grant said. “It’s a table and chair, not really a lot a thought about providing anything beyond a location to conduct an interview.”

The Police Foundation supports projects intended improve the police department. It funded KCPD’s first soft room, and Grant says there’s already talk of a second room.

“This is innovative today,” Grant said. “We should have done this a long time ago. So when they brought us this concept, our response was, ‘Absolutely, let’s do it.’”

The police department works over 500 sexual assault cases a year.

Though the room was just unveiled Thursday, it’s a space hundreds of survivors will now be able to use.

“Imagine if you were a victim of something, and you’re having to come and tell law enforcement about the worst day of your life, and you step into this space, it’s not what you’re expecting,” Halterman said. “You are able to sit in a space that’s safe, warm and inviting as opposed to cold, stark and sterile and talk to law enforcement, who also are in a different frame of mind. They’re also not interrogating someone, they’re not in that same space that maybe they were two hours ago interrogating a really violent offender.”

The space includes new furniture, lamps, rugs, paint, artwork, plants, blankets and dim lighting.

“This is a part of accountability and a part of bringing the community back together,” Mallory said. “I think that this is also going to save lives.”

As someone who’s attempted to take their own life, Mallory says the mental health support for survivors goes far beyond the soft room.

“I think going further is bringing more mental health support into the interviewing process,” Mallory said. “There’s a lot of work that can happen, and include people who have that experience to advise on what the next steps can be. I’m more than willing to be that resource if they want to reach directly out.”

A resource Mallory says was crucial when he was seeking help was the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault, or MOSCA.

“I finally found that passion within me that I didn’t know that I had,” Mallory said. “I started speaking out, speaking up every time I see something, I say something.”

Mallory also says it’s important to remember how common sexual assault can be.

“Sexual assault doesn’t just happen to women, doesn’t just happen to men, it happens to trans people, nonbinary people,” Mallory said. “It happens to everybody. It doesn’t discriminate.”

So along with advocates like Halterman, Mallory will keep the conversation going so that safe spaces can grow and spread.

“Being able to be that vocal voice and be that leader that the community needs, I’m happy to be here,” Mallory said.

If you or anyone you know has been impacted by sexual violence and needs support, please call MOCSA’s 24-hour crisis line at 816-531-0233.

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – College students across southwest Kansas will soon have access to more program offerings through Newman University thanks to a $2.1 million Research and Public Engagement Development (RPED) grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

According to Newman, this grant will significantly enhance educational access and workforce development in southwest Kansas by creating partnerships with Dodge City Community College, Garden City Community College and Seward County Community College.

Newman said the grant will allow these colleges to strengthen program offerings in business, agribusiness, education, nursing and a future sonography program.

The university said the grant funding will also allow it to provide smart classrooms and a laptop loaner program for students. It will also increase need-based financial support and establish paid internship stipends for students.

Other plans for the grant include enhancing support services to promote student success. These services include improving advising, financial aid assistance and career development initiatives. Four new roles will be created to assist with these services.

Newman University President Kathleen S. Jagger believes the award is a “game-changer” for the region. “By providing accessible, affordable education coupled with immersive workforce training, we are empowering individuals and communities in southwest Kansas to thrive,” Jagger said.

The $2.1 million RPED grant is in addition to Newman’s recently announced $1.2 million in federal funding for a new mobile agribusiness technology lab serving students in Wichita and across southwest Kansas.

To find more information about education programs available through Newman, visit NewmanU.edu.

Copyright 2024 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com

MARION COUNTY —First responders are on the scene of a double-fatal crash in Marion County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash involving two vehicles occurred just after 6:30 a.m. on Highway 50 just west of Florence. Each vehicle had a single occupant.

Authorities released no additional details just before 9 a.m. Thursday.

The roadway continues to experience traffic issues as first responders remain on scene to further investigate this tragic event. Please continue to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

Check the Post for additional details as they are released.