KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, Municipal Court hopes to to break the cycle of violence for first-time offenders and young adults involving domestic violence cases.
On Thursday, the court announced it has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to launch two new intervention programs.
The court will partner with the University of Missouri to execute the programs.
The first is a domestic violence awareness class. People facing their first domestic violence charge will now have to take the class as a condition to their bond.
The second is a relationship and sexual violence prevention docket. It will provide resources for the offenders and the victims in domestic violence cases that involve young adults.
“These programs have been identified by those working in the domestic violence court as being necessary to address the unique needs and characteristics of first time offenders and young adult offenders and victims,” Courtney Wachal, municipal domestic violence court judge, said in a news release. “We believe providing services specifically designed for these groups will help keep victims of domestic violence in Kansas City safe.”
