Kansas City victim continues mission to prevent domestic violence

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Multiple events have occurred so far in 2024 26,000 cases of domestic violence in Missouri. This is according to data from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

As Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes to a close, a survivor in Kansas City is continuing the conversation.

Caroline Markel has been fighting for justice since 2016.

“Most of the time nothing gets done,” said Caroline Markel.

Brian Luton

“(My ex-partner) belonged to a group that taught other men to use drugs, rape, market and clean up all evidence after the rapes occurred,” Markel said. “He let this happen to me. He had been marketing me for about eight weeks into our relationship.”

Markel says this happened throughout the entire eight-year relationship. His former partner was not arrested.

“There is no accountability,” Markel said. “When I went to the police, I showed them everything I had. They did not accept me as a valid witness because I had no memory of the rapes. Because she had drugged me without my knowledge or consent.”

But Markel turned her pain into action and started a nonprofit to prevent domestic and sexual violence, one person saved at a time.

“Every organization I went to was supposed to be helping, and I thought if I didn’t take action, then I was going to lose my mind,” Markel said. “That’s when the Safe Harm Path was born.”

its organization, Safe Against HarmIt provides safety precautions for those experiencing abuse and provides immediate resources that individuals can use before contacting authorities or outside organizations.

“This happens so frequently across the country and it is so filled with silence and shame that it is unrecognizable because people won’t think it’s happening to them,” Markel said. “They will think there is something wrong with their body.”

Markel explained that Safe in Harms Way has assisted approximately 126,000 survivors with resources or justice. It is now a shared resource with domestic violence shelters in 13 states.

“This is a great opportunity to create change, and I never imagined such a possibility existed when I was writing my name on a post-it note and trying to get help,” Markel said.

Sharing her story is a critical part of her fight for change. Markel speaks at prevention and advocacy events across the country and will be releasing a book this Friday. Agents of Social Change.

But the fight for justice continues.

“What compels me to continue Safe in Harms Way is all the people in Kansas City that this group can hurt and harm,” Markel said. “That’s what keeps me going because if I live with the anger of not having any consequences for me, I’m no good to the people I love and the people who love me.”

If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence, you can find resources in Missouri. Here Springs and resources in Kansas City Here.

KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne covers issues related to government accountability and solutions. Share your story with Isabella.