Kansas domestic and sexual violence shelters are struggling due to government shutdown

KANSAS (KSNT) — As the government shutdown hits a record setting 37th day, domestic violence shelters here in Kansas are beginning to feel the impact.

Kansas has 24 domestic violence shelters, serving all corners of the state. However, as the shutdown drags on, these shelters are beginning to lose access to food deliveries and federal grant money.

Shelters use these federal funds to help survivors with food, rent and other bills. Now that the grant money is gone, these support centers are forced to pay for these services using state aid, or their own limited funds.

Most shelters in Kansas have a rainy-day fund, meant to continue services when federal aid is cut off. However, Adrianne Nunez with The Willow Domestic Violence Center tells me, that money is quickly running out.

Nunez says, if the shutdown continues on for much longer, things will get worse and worse.

“We are about 30% funded by federal grants, and often those are used to pay our staff, to help out survivors who are fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking,” said Nunez. “It’ll definitely create a problem for us, and I assume all of the agencies across Kansas.”

Additionally, according to the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, 18 of the state’s 24 domestic violence shelters will not receive food donations in the month of November.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, visit the KCSDV website for help.

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