Controversy Erupts Over Domestic Violence Service Contract

Some Kansas senators are criticizing proposed changes to a contract for groups that serve domestic violence victims.

The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services wants to require victims to undergo psychological evaluations. It also seeks to limit lifetime services to 18 months and have 90 percent of victims hold jobs after 18 months.

The proposals prompted The Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence to drop negotiations last week on the contract.

On Thursday, members of the Senate budget committee criticized the SRS’s proposals, saying they did not reflect the reality faced by domestic violence victims.

SRS officials say they will try to negotiate with local domestic violence centers to distribute about $2 million in federal funds for services after July 1.