Kansas City is hosting a public forum on Thursday at the Mattie Rhodes Center to raise awareness about domestic violence and to support victims, especially families of color. The event, part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, will begin at 8 a.m. in Union Station’s Board Room and is free to the public.
Survivor’s Story Highlights the Need for Action
Among the featured speakers is Julissa Soto, a Colorado‑based advocate who survived decades of abuse after immigrating from Mexico. Soto recounted how her former husband beat her with a bat, breaking both arms and legs and causing a traumatic brain injury that left her in a coma for two months. “I used to hide my kids in the closet,” she said, describing the desperate measures she took to protect them.
Undocumented at the time and unable to speak English, Soto spent years rebuilding her life. Today she owns businesses in the United States and Mexico, leads a nonprofit that supports immigrant women, and is running for an at‑large seat on the Denver City Council. “I converted pain into purpose,” she said. “My pain has a purpose now.”
Local Leaders Emphasize Community Responsibility
Kansas City Councilman Crispin Rea, a former Jackson County prosecutor who spent eight years handling domestic‑violence cases, warned that the problem often stays hidden behind closed doors. “Domestic violence is difficult because it is intimate. It is within the family, not random violence,” Rea said. He noted that cultural expectations, family dynamics, and fear of reporting create barriers for victims.
Rea cited recent statistics from the Kansas City Police Department: 19 domestic‑violence‑related deaths were recorded between Jan. 1 and Oct. 19 of last year, and 13 deaths have been recorded so far this year. “Last year we had a very high number of domestic‑violence‑related homicides,” he said. “As a community, we’ve got to double down on our commitment to address those things.”
Addressing Cultural Pressures
Soto will also discuss how cultural pressures can keep victims silent, touching on issues such as machismo, stigma surrounding divorce, and expectations placed on women in Latino communities. “What is not okay is that we allow others to diminish who we are,” she said. “My value doesn’t come from a man. My value comes from who I am and where I’m going.”
She hopes attendees leave with a clearer understanding that speaking out is often the first step toward safety and healing. “If you speak up, you’re going to gain your freedom. You’re going to gain your peace of mind,” Soto added.
Event Details and Participants
The event will be emceed by KSHB 41’s Daniela Leon. In addition to Councilman Rea and Soto, participants include Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson, representatives from Hope House, and other community groups dedicated to supporting survivors.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for registration. The forum will feature a Q&A session, allowing community members to ask questions and share resources. Organizers hope the gathering will foster stronger connections among survivors, advocates, and local leaders, reinforcing Kansas City’s commitment to ending domestic violence.
Why This Matters for Kansas City Families
Domestic violence remains a pressing issue for families across the region, and events like this provide vital information, emotional support, and practical resources. By highlighting the experiences of survivors like Soto and emphasizing the role of cultural understanding, the forum aims to empower victims and encourage community members to intervene safely.
For more information, visit the Mattie Rhodes Center’s website or call the event hotline at (816) 555‑0123.
Original reporting: KSHB 41 Kansas City (local) — read the source article.
