Available for Immediate Release
From: Rose Brooks Center
Date: September 28, 2020
Media Contact: Director of Marketing
Scott Mason, scottm@rosebrooks.org
816-605-7113
Kansas City Launches Blueprint to Address Domestic Violence Crime
Kansas City, Missouri, September 28, 2020 — For the past three years Rose Brooks Center has led an effort to address domestic violence crime in Kansas City, due in part by support from the City of Kansas City and the Office of Violence Against Women. And for the past three years, entities like Rose Brooks Center, the Kansas City Police Department, Municipal Court, Probation and Parole, and the Detention Center have all met monthly to review and create new policies and practices to ensure that Kansas City’s response to domestic violence crimes keeps victims safe and holds offenders accountable.
Mayor Quinton Lucas celebrated the collaboration throughout the systems, and recognized how it supports Kansas City’s work to address issues of domestic violence in the community, “Since taking office, we’ve tried to work to address long-term issues of crime in our community, including finding ways that we can support survivors of domestic violence.” Adding that this type of long-term collaborating will help find solutions to the crime in Kansas City.
The Kansas City Blueprint for Safety uses research-based policies and practices proven to effectively address domestic violence crime. The end result is a single document with a chapter for each agency within the criminal justice system. It is not just a collection of good policies; it is a collective policy with each chapter linked inextricably to the whole.
Further, it uses interagency protocols and information sharing to: (a) maximize the ability of the state to gain a measure of control over a domestic violence offender; (b) use that control to intervene quickly when there are new acts of violence, intimidation or coercion; and (c) shift the burden of holding the offender accountable for violence or abuse from the victim to the system.
As Rose Brooks Center led the effort, and as they listened to the stories of survivors, they developed a better picture of the barriers facing those victimized by their abusers while trying to seek justice and ultimately find peace and a safe future. Annie Struby, Rose Brooks Center’s Blueprint Coordinator thanked those who made 
this Blueprint for Safety possible, “To the many brave domestic violence survivors who shared their stories with us and participated in focus groups, thank you. Your stories will make the system work better for future domestic violence survivors.”
this Blueprint for Safety possible, “To the many brave domestic violence survivors who shared their stories with us and participated in focus groups, thank you. Your stories will make the system work better for future domestic violence survivors.”___________
Rose Brooks Center’s mission is to break the cycle of domestic violence so that individuals and families can live free of abuse. Rose Brooks offers emergency shelter, therapeutic care, economic advocacy, as well as support and services throughout the entire community by way of comprehensive community programming and violence prevention services. For those who are in an abusive relationship or need support, Rose Brooks is here to help you plan for safety or connect you to services. Hotline: 816-861-6100
Speakers also included:
Lisa Fleming, Rose Brooks Center Chief Operating Officer
Lisa Fleming, Rose Brooks Center Chief Operating Officer
Major Stacey Graves, Kansas City Police Department
Lucas Castilleja, Accreditation Manager with the Jackson County Detention Center
