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Kansas City Domestic Violence Court receives federal grant

Posted at 1:23 PM, Jan 24, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-24 17:38:38-05

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Wednesday, the Public Safety Committee approved a $48,000 Department of Justice grant to be used by the Kansas City Domestic Violence Court. 

The Kansas City court is the first municipal court to receive this grant and honor by the Department of Justice. 

This year, other cities from around the country will visit the Kansas City court to see how it is tackling domestic violence. 

"The main thing is the compliance docket, where we are holding the most serious offenders accountable through increased supervision beyond just batters intervention classes. It includes substance abuse treatment, mental health, and others to make them more likely to succeed and to keep victims safe," said Judge Courtney Wachal. 

So far this year there have been three domestic violence-related homicides. 

A woman was found shot and killed in south Kansas City. Police said the suspect is the father of the woman's child. In Grandview, man is accused of killing the mother of his child. In Overland Park, a man is charged with premeditated first-degree murder in his wife’s death. 

The federal funding was approved by the Public Safety Committee. It still needs to be approved by the full City Council. 

Judge Wachal said it takes more than just a court to solve the domestic violence issue. She said partnerships with organizations and police are also important. 

"Work with the community. If the offender needs services, give them services to do the best they can do. If they need incarceration, then put them in jail,” Wachal said. “Give the victim some time to reposition herself, to keep herself safe."