COMBAT-Supported Sexual Assault Prevention Programs
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Amethyst Place, Inc. Preventing Multi-Generational Substance Use
Amethyst Place is a safe haven where mothers recovering from substance use can rebuild their lives and families. Through a holistic model that includes supportive housing, therapeutic care, and empowerment programs, Amethyst Place helps families break free from cycles of poverty, trauma, and addiction. At its core, the program offers not only stability—but hope, healing, and long-term transformation. At the center of Amethyst Place is the Supportive Housing Program, which provides 37 fully furnished apartments in a vibrant, close-knit community. Families are given a stable home for as long as they need, along with access to basic essentials like food, clothing, and household items. In 2023, Amethyst Place supported 163 women and children in reclaiming their lives through the safety and security of stable housing. Kansas City faces a severe housing shortage, with more than 64,000 units of affordable housing needed for low-income renters.
MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) provides vital services from its main office in the heart of Jackson County, Kansas City, Missouri. This strategic location ensures accessibility for individuals and families across multiple communities within the county. The program focuses on evidence-based treatment for youth exhibiting sexual behavior problems, including therapy, as well as sexual violence education in schools. Additionally, MOCSA leads community-level prevention efforts, aiming to reduce sexual violence through a coordinated, public health approach. Sexual violence remains a pervasive public health crisis. One in four women and one in 10 men will experience sexual assault during their lifetimes, and one in 10 children suffer sexual abuse before age 18. Jackson County reflects these troubling statistics. In 2023 alone, Jackson County reported 618 sexual offenses — roughly 12 sexual assaults every week.
Kansas City faces one of the highest rates of violent crime in the nation. According to Neighborhood Scout, residents face a 1 in 16 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. For the city’s children, these statistics are more than numbers—they represent the everyday reality of walking to school, playing outside, or navigating peer pressure in an increasingly digital world. In response, this community-based initiative is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: our children deserve better. The program brings together youth, families and key institutional partners to promote crime prevention, drug education, digital safety, and abuse awareness—equipping young people with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to lead safer, healthier lives. The mission of this program is to educate, empower, and protect youth in Kansas City by addressing critical safety issues through early prevention and family engagement.