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Up To Date

Coronavirus Keeps Victims Of Domestic Violence In Lockdown With Their Abusers

By Steve Kraske,
Chris Young
Published November 2, 2020 at 2:26 PM CST
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Since public health measures implemented in March, Kansas City has seen an uptick in domestic violence calls. At Kansas City's Newhouse Shelter, about half of the calls they receive are 'lethality cases' in which the life of the victim is being threatened.

At Kansas City's Newhouse Shelter, about half of the calls they receive are 'lethality cases' in which the life of the victim is being threatened.

Due to pandemic safety guidelines, shelters are losing beds while the need for them has deepened. Newhouse Shelter has seen a 30% increase in domestic violence related calls according to CEO Courtney Thomas. While many factors contribute to the rise of domestic violence, "the lethality cases have skyrocketed during COVID," Thomas said.

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Up To Date domestic violenceKansas City Missouri (KCMO)public healthTalk ShowPodcast
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Steve Kraske
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
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Chris Young
Chris Young is an Assistant Producer for KCUR’s Up To Date. Contact him at chrisy@kcur.org.
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