Most of us are safe at home, but for some, home is not a sanctuary, it is a prison. Many adults and children are trapped in homes with abuse, rape, violence and neglect. Due to COVID-19, these situations have escalated. Local law enforcement has shown a 50 percent increase in 2020 compared to this same time last year. These victims have limited access to resources and contacts outside of their home. They are likely unable to call for help because their abuser is always nearby.

These facts help to describe the scale of this threat:

• 34 percent of people who sexually abuse a child are family members of the child.
• In 74 percent of the cases of Kansas children removed from their home and placed in foster care in 2019, the primary reason was abuse or neglect.
• 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year (90 percent are eyewitnesses).
• 1 in 3 female and 1 in 20 male murder victims are killed by an intimate partner.
• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.
• 20 people every minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the U.S.

At SOS, we are doing our best to continue our services while focusing on the health and safety of everyone involved. We are continuing to staff our 24/7 Helpline, 800-825-1295, to connect victims with advocates for safety planning, protection orders and resources. Our domestic shelter is continuing to house clients as needed. SOS CASA of the Flint Hills staff is available, and our CASA volunteers continue their advocacy while practicing physical distancing. The Child Visitation and Exchange Center is offering virtual supervised visits and our CAC is still conducting child disclosure interviews with a few additional health precautions in place.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or neglect, call SOS 24/7 helpline at 800-825-1295, or visit www.soskansas.com for resources and more information.