violence

Cases of domestic violence are rising in Missouri. Legal Aid of Western Missouri worked on more than 3,000 cases of domestic violence last year. One woman tells KCUR how she found a way out of a 17-year relationship that grew abusive.

Violent crime is going down in Kansas City, but cases of domestic violence are rising. Domestic violence often happens behind closed doors, and in some cases abuse begins subtly and progressively gets more intense. We'll hear from a survivor about what it took for her to leave the relationship, and how she found help.

The Caribbean country of Haiti is in the midst of a severe political and humanitarian crisis as it struggles to address widespread gang violence. Ahead of the 14th annual KC Haiti Symposium on Saturday, KCUR's Up To Date spoke with two journalists who cover Haiti and a Kansas City doctor who runs a surgicenter in the country.

Men learn violence as a means of communication at an early age, according to University of Kansas associate professor Meggie Mapes. So how do we get men to change their behavior? Mapes will speak at TEDxKC on Friday about her research into male prison inmates with a history of partner violence.

Violent crime is down in Kansas City, and leaders point to the success of SAVE KC, a focused deterrence program that helps support people at-risk or associated with violence change the trajectory of their life.

After Kansas City saw a rise in homicides connected to domestic violence, Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson is collaborating with local municipalities to be proactive in charging before a situation escalates. Johnson also spoke with KCUR's Up To Date with her initiatives to reduce violent crime and efforts on property crimes.

Shawn Koch saved hundreds of threatening emails from her ex, Christopher Koch. He threatened to kill her, get her fired, keep their children from her and ruin her life.

Kansas City's homicide rate decreased in 2024, but the numbers still leave cause for concern. Local experts want residents to better understand the conditions that drive violent crime — and what will fix them.

Missouri's homicide victimization rate for its Black residents was 54.9 deaths per 100,000 people in 2023, more than twice the national rate. The Violence Policy Center has issued the report for 20 years and Missouri has been either first or second every time.

Andre Harris, founder of the nonprofit Dads Against Crime, says that Kansas City's violent crime problem can't be fixed if people can't feel comfortable talking to law enforcement and discussing mental health.

Youth violence has fallen in Wyandotte County, in part due to the ThrYve program. Barry Anderson took part when he was a student at Wyandotte High School, and credits the program with teaching him basic life skills necessary to attend the University of Kansas.

Kansas City has recorded 12 homicides linked to domestic violence so far this year — the same number reported in all of 2024. Domestic violence service agencies fear the problem could get worse if social services lose federal funding.