Topeka domestic violence prevention shelter gets $100,000 from health insurance company – Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — An influx of cash means clothing, food and staff pay increases for 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 bolster operations. The money comes at a welcome time for the center, which has had to “scramble” for funding in the past.

“This is 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 folks in shelter will have a huge impact because it has been difficult for us to raise salaries when we are restricted by federal grants and community grants.”

The donation will be split into increased funding for essential supplies, such as toiletries and clothing, bolstering shelter management by increasing staff pay, and funding educational programs that teach survivors how to enroll in Medicaid, obtain food assistance, and other government programs.

“We all have to come together to make a difference,” said Muna Enshiwat, chief medical officer for Aetna Better Health of Kansas.

The YWCA center, which has 19 beds, is also gearing up to add 30 beds by March. People typically stay for around 30 days, but they sometimes need months of additional support, said program director Becca Spielman. An estimated 350 people per year utilize the space, Spielman said.

“It gets a little chaotic sometimes,” Spielman said. “Our staff have to navigate and wear a lot of hats. Being able to compensate them in a way they deserve is really important in order to keep staff.”

Part of the center’s work stems around dismantling misconceptions of domestic and sexual violence. 

“A lot of times, people assume it looks a certain way,” Spielman said. “But the reality is that there’s lots of nuances, it’s a very complicated, complex sort of experience for folks.” 

“The more we’re out there talking about the realities of sexual assault, sexual violence, the more people know we are a resource, the more people are starting to disclose because they feel safe to do so,” she added.

In 2022, the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office reported 1,193 referrals for domestic violence cases and 778 domestic violence cases filed, with 192 of these cases reported as successfully prosecuted.

During the same time frame, the Topeka Police Department reported 1,764 domestic violence calls and 872 cases ending in domestic violence arrests by law enforcement agencies. The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office reported 273 domestic violence calls and 117 domestic violence arrests in 2022.

The center reported helping 869 Shawnee County residents between January to June of 2022. During that time frame, the Kansas Department of Corrections had less than a quarter of the center’s service outreach, providing 108 domestic violence victims in the county with services.

“I think about situations where folks have been put in incredibly traumatic, isolating situations where they don’t have, or feel like they don’t have any other options,” Spielman said. “We encourage the community to respond sooner so that we don’t have situations where folks feel like they have no choice but to escape in any way that they see an out. Advocacy provides that support.”