By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services has seen an increase in requests for services during the last year and is seeking community assistance during its annual fundraising campaign to meet those increased needs.
"We were really predicting that our numbers this year would level off and go back to our pre-pandemic numbers," said Jennifer Hecker, Options executive director. "That has just not happened. They have continued to grow."
Options has seen significant increases in services during the last two years.
It provided 60 percent more services in 2021 than it did the previous years and has provided more than 60 percent more services in 2022 compared to 2021.
The average number of bed nights at the Options shelter is about 1,200 This year to date, the shelter has provided 4,800 bed nights. Hecker said she anticipates the shelter will hit 5,000 bed nights before the end of the year.
The shelter services women, children and men.
"It's anyone who needs a place to stay because they are experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking or family violence," Hecker said.
Options covers an 18-county area of northwest Kansas that includes Ellis County.
Hecker said she thought Options was seeing increases in its numbers both because of an increase in violent acts as well as a greater awareness of the services that are available.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation recently released its 2021 domestic violent report, which showed a statewide increase in violent crime.
"We spent a lot of energy and time doing advertising and other community awareness during COVID because we saw those numbers increasing not just in Ellis County, but in other counties we serve and nationwide," Hecker said.
"I think COVID kind of pulled the Band-Aid off of America's dirty little secret — the harm that happens behind closed doors that we don't often hear about."
Options also provided new avenues to access its services. The agency added a mobile office that travels to all 18 counties in its service area. The agency also has a texting hotline and chat hotline in addition to its phone hotline. Text the word "Hope" to 847411.
The 24-Hour Helpline is 800-794-4624. The chat and other information can be accessed on the Options website at https://help4abuse.org/ All of the helplines and chats are manned 24/7, 365 days a year.
Options also launched an app called "My Mobile Options," which is free for download for Apple or Android devices.
Difficult economic times can also be stressors that can result in domestic or family violence, Hecker said. Economic stress tends to grow during the holidays.
"Every family struggles to provide gifts and things like that for their family. If they are unemployed or underemployed that can compound that stress even more," Hecker said.
In families in which violence has occurred coming together at Christmas can be triggering, she said.
Hecker said seeing signs of domestic abuse in friends and family members can be difficult. Unhealthy control can be one of those signs.
Individuals who seemed stressed about having to be home at a certain time or their partner is going to anger can be a sign of domestic abuse. Other signs can be someone who doesn't have control over their money, jealousy, a partner demanding to see a partner's phone or a partner expecting to listen in on phone conversations.
"Holidays are so stressful and a time when so many people tell victims to not leave now and to wait until the holiday is over. Don't ruin the holiday by leaving," Hecker said. "We tell people give yourself the gift of safety this holiday season.
"If you are fearful or you know someone who is, have them call Options, and we will get them the holiday help they need."
Options' Light of Hope annual fundraising campaign helps Options fill the funding gaps to provide services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking.
The campaign goes through the end of the year. Donors have many options for giving. They can go to Options' website, donate by sending a check to or drop it off in person at the Options office at 2716 Plaza Ave., Hays, KS 67601
This year's campaign goal is $202,000. Options is about $15,000 away from reaching that goal.
"That money goes to help victims and survivors get the services they need and fills the gaps that our state and federal grants don't fill," Hecker said.
It helps pay for survivors to get hotel rooms if Options' shelter is full. It can be used to help survivors replace driver's licenses or other important documents they had to leave behind when they fled or were taken from them. It can also provide funds for the therapy dog, or child and youth services programs, among other programs.