Turned Away: A Crisis of Missouri's Domestic Violence Shelters

Joan Sisco, of Springfield, is one of thousands of women and children who sought shelter at one of Missouri's domestic violence shelters, but were told there was no room. Now, she is homeless.

Missouri's domestic violence shelters had to say, "Sorry, no room" more than 21,000 times last year to victims trying to flee their abusers, according to the Missouri Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence. That's because most of those shelters are already bursting at the seams. Where are these victims going instead, and what can we do as a community to bring these numbers down?

You can hear our five-part series by clicking on the stories below.

News

Traditions Help Maintain Normalcy for Those in Shelters

Jennifer Moore

A school bus pulls into the circle drive at the Christos House domestic violence shelter in rural Howell County. The exact location is kept secret to…
Community Safety

With Three Small Children, a Young Survivor Prepares to Start Over in a New Town

Jennifer Moore

As we’ve been reporting all week, Missouri domestic violence shelters said, “Sorry, no room,” more than 21,000 times last year to women and children…
Community Safety

Tricky to Prosecute, Missouri’s Domestic Violence Cases Often Lead to Probation, Fines

Jennifer Moore

Greene County has already seen over 1,300 ex-parte orders of protection filed this year because of adult abuse. In this segment of our series, “Turned…
Community Safety

What Role Can the Faith Community Play in Solving Missouri’s Domestic Violence Crisis?

Jennifer Moore

28-year-old Brandi is flipping through children’s books at Christos House, the domestic violence shelter north of West Plains. We’re using only her first…
Community Safety

Missouri Shelters Balance Funding Between Protection, Advocacy

Jennifer Moore

Missouri’s domestic violence shelters are almost all operating at full capacity: they had to reject women and children seeking shelter more than 21,000…
Community Safety

Missouri Shelters, Facing Staggering Demand, Turn Abuse Victims Away at Ratio of 2 to 1

Jennifer Moore

62-year-old Joan Sisco of Springfield is doing her best to get comfortable on a donated couch. But her attempt is futile: her upper body is mostly purple…