© 2024 KMUW
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Jaime's Story: A Domestic Violence Survivor Speaks Out

Carla Eckels
/
KMUW

The content of this story on domestic violence is not suitable for children and may be disturbing for all listeners. Please be advised.
 

For 10 years, Jaime, who lives in a town near Wichita, suffered from marital rape. The sexual assault began when she was 14 years old. Jaime, like many, felt there was no way out.

This is Jaime's story:

For the past eight years, Jaime has been happily married to her new husband. Her former husband now lives in another state.

Credit Carla Eckels / KMUW
/
KMUW
Jaime is now safe and has been happily married to her current husband for eight years.

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

According to Futures Without Violence, victims of violence and abuse were specifically included in several new protections and programs under the Affordable Care Act.

Beginning on January 1, 2014, the Affordable Care Act will prohibit insurance companies, health care providers and health programs that receive federal financial assistance from denying coverage to women based on many factors, including being a survivor of domestic or sexual violence.

Before this protection was added, seven states allowed insurers to deny health coverage to domestic violence survivors, and only 22 states had enacted adequate domestic violence insurance discrimination protections.

Beginning on August 1, 2012, all new and non-grandfathered health plans had to begin covering screening and counseling of domestic violence, and plans could not require cost sharing or deductibles for these services.

VICTIM RESOURCES

Any time someone forces themself on you sexually without your consent, this can be sexual assault or rape. Even if you’re married to or in a relationship with the person who is assaulting or raping you, it is real rape and real assault, via WomensLaw.org.

Where to find help:

Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center

YWCA of Wichita

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

The Wichita Police Department received 48 reports of domestic violence rape in 2012. Through September of 2013, they had received 36.

Carla Eckels is Director of Organizational Culture at KMUW. She produces and hosts the R&B and gospel show Soulsations and brings stories of race and culture to The Range with the monthly segment In the Mix. Carla was inducted into The Kansas African American Museum's Trailblazers Hall of Fame in 2020 for her work in broadcast/journalism.