October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. At some point in their lives, one in three women will be the victim of an abuser.
In Kansas City, there are places those women can find help, including the Rose Brooks Center. It's a full-service shelter for women and children looking to escape domestic violence.
"It takes a lot of work to wrap them in services from case management to therapy to making sure that they're safe at work, at school, so it takes a lot of work after that and women and families are extremely grateful for that support," said Scott Mason, the Rose Brooks director of development.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, every nine seconds in the United States, a woman is assaulted or beaten. That puts stress on centers like Rose Brooks, with the shelter's 100 beds often full. The average woman stays at Rose Brooks for three months.
Rose Brooks offers not only shelter, but also therapy, a thrift shop where women can find new clothes and even a shelter for the women's pets.
Often, women who were emotionally abused require more help.
"A lot of times emotional can be even more harmful in the long term because of the memories of what somebody has said to you sticks with you forever," said Mason.
Rose Brooks offers help for men who are victims of domestic violence.
On Saturday night, Oct. 10, Rose Brooks will hold their annual Casino Night, one of the center's biggest fundraisers of the year. 41 Action News Anchor Justin Wilfon will be the emcee. Tickets are still available.
To learn more about Rose Brooks and Casino Night, click here.
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Justin Wilfon can be reached at justin.wilfon@kshb.com.
