TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV) is hosting a Silent Witness Exhibit on Thursday, March 23, 2023, in the Kansas Statehouse. The goal of the event is to increase public awareness and knowledge of sexual and domestic violence and victim advocacy services in Kansas.

The Silent Witness Exhibit is from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the second floor rotunda in the Kansas Statehouse. This Exhibit will honor Kansas women who lost their lives through sexual and domestic violence. Their stories remind us that this violence often occurs at the point they are trying to leave their abusers, protect their families, or merely live their lives.

n 2021 over 70,000 victims of sexual and domestic violence and stalking received victim services in Kansas through a network of 25 domestic/sexual violence advocacy agencies that provide direct services in all 105 counties in Kansas. This included over 3,500 victims who found refuge in safe shelter, totaling nearly 89,000 shelter bed nights. However, advocacy programs also received over 1,800 unmet requests for shelter because the shelter was at capacity and the program lacked the additional resources needed to provide emergency accommodations, such as hotel rooms, to victims.

KCSDV’s representatives will be present to educate and increase knowledge on the breadth and depth of critical services provided to victims, survivors, and Kansas communities every day. Additionally, the staff will be able to discuss opportunities to support state and local initiatives highlighting April as Sexual Assault Awareness month.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas is a sponsor of the Silent Witness Exhibit.

Free and confidential help is available 24/7 for individuals experiencing domestic and sexual violence. Those seeking help may contact the Kansas Crisis Hotline at 888-363- 2287 or find their local advocacy program at www.kcsdv.org/find-help.