Shelters, PD say violence up in KC since stay-at-home order

Shelters and police departments are seeing a rise in domestic violence calls due to victims being quarantined with their abusers.

AN UNSEEN IMPACT OFSTAY-AT-HOME ORDERS --DOMESTIC VIOLENCEVICTIMS NOT ABLE TO GETAWAY FROM THEIRABUSERS.AS 41 ACTION NEWSREPORTER SARAH PLAKEEXPLAINS -- GROUPS AREWORKING TOGETHER TOSOLVE THE ISSUE.Shelters, organizations, andpolice departments say they'regetting more domesticviolence calls.They need the community'support to help every family.Synergy Services has threeshelters and they're all runningbeyond capacitFor sure a 25% increase inour domestic violence callsand then we're seeing anincrease in calls for helpacross-the-board.A negative side effect of thestay-at-home order many wereconcerned about is domesticviolence victims being left withfewers options.They are trying everything theycan to keep themselves andtheir children safe andunfortunately they're stuckthere with their abusers.Synergy Services is nowputting families up in hotelsand working with otherorganizations to provideshelteOur needs are higher, ourexpenses are consistentlyincreasing in order to providesafety for those victims thatneed it most.According to the Kansas Citypolice department crime stats,from January to March,domestic violence incidenswere up from 277 to 323.That inner conflict you know,we're taking measures to keepthe community as a wholesafe but it's making someindividuals feel or literally beless safe.

So those aresituations where we wanntake particular note.Overland Park police saysthey're also seeing moredisturbances happen insidethe home.We still want people to call us,we will still respond.

But weknow people still need helpout there and we're going tobe there for them.This is a matter of life and