Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services and Jana’s Campaign are inviting community members to participate in the Ellis County Community Forum, an opportunity to discuss local needs, share feedback, and help shape the future of domestic and sexual violence prevention efforts in the region.
The forum will be held twice to accommodate different schedules:
· Saturday, March 29, at 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
· Thursday, April 24, at 7:00 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Both sessions will take place in the Schmidt Gallery at the Hays Public Library with light refreshments available.
Jana’s Campaign and Options provide essential educational programming, including SafeBar training, workplace trainings, and other community-based education designed to promote safety, awareness, and prevention.
However, the primary focus of these forums is to listen to the community and identify areas where additional support and resources are needed. By engaging with local residents, these organizations hope to enhance their outreach and tailor their services to better serve Ellis County.
Sexual violence and domestic violence affect individuals and families across all demographics, and addressing these issues requires a community-wide effort.
In 2023, Ellis County saw 133 incidents of domestic violence reported, resulting in 67 arrests. That means that around half of DV reports lead to an arrest – which is lower than the state average of 52.7%. In the past decade, at least 20 out of 25 murders in northwest Kansas were linked to dating or family violence.
As for sexual violence – there are about 4 sexual assault reports each day in Kansas (one every 6 hours and 21 minutes). Thirteen rape incidents were reported to law enforcement in Ellis County in 2023, resulting in two arrests.
The goal of these forums is to provide a platform for open discussion, allowing community members to voice concerns, suggest solutions, and gain a deeper understanding of available resources to create a safer and more informed community.
These events are open to all Ellis County residents (and surrounding areas), and no registration is required. Community members are encouraged to attend and contribute to this important conversation.
For more information, please contact:
· Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Contact: Anniston Weber
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 785-625-4202
· Jana's Campaign
Contact: Kaiti Blackburn
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 785-656-0324