This October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) is celebrating 20 years of the Shield Against Violent Environments (SAVE) program. BCBSKS is committed to providing a safe workplace where domestic violence will not be tolerated.
In 2001, we began the SAVE program to assist our employees who are victims of domestic violence; educate our company and others on the complex issue of domestic violence; and provide support for domestic violence advocacy, education, and rehabilitation organizations. Some of the partnerships developed through SAVE have continued for the 20-year duration of the program, including the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence and their member organizations, Jana’s Campaign, the Attorney General’s Batterer Intervention Program Advisory Board and several others.
Our staff have served on some of the boards for these non-profit organizations, providing leadership and guidance, and we’ve been able to donate financially to assist their great work across the state. Through SAVE, we’ve also been able to provide mentorship to other corporations across the state who have put similar domestic violence programs into place for their employees.
To commemorate the program’s 20-year anniversary, we’re excited to announce the development of corporate engagement councils on domestic violence to further spread this great work across the state.
The purpose of the councils is to continue educating Kansas companies about the complexity of domestic violence and how it impacts their organizations and what they can do to be supportive of their employees. The domestic violence advocacy organizations in the areas where the councils will be developed will also be members. The councils will be discussing how they, as leaders in their communities, can assist with prevention initiatives.
If you are in a domestic violence situation, please know there is help for you. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For all other situations, call the Kansas Crisis Hotline 1-888-END-ABUSE.