In Kansas more than 550 people a day seek help from programs assisting victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

And the farther away victims live from a county providing those services, the less likely they are to use those services. Only 40 percent of the counties in Kansas have crisis services available.

That is why Douglas County and state victim advocates met in Lawrence on Tuesday to celebrate a $2 million increase approved last year by the Kansas Legislature to increase victim services.

“This will really make a difference to thousands of women and children, and is a giant step toward achieving safety in homes and communities across the state,” said Sandy Barnett, executive director of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.

The extra funding meant an additional $42,317 to GaDuGi SafeCenter of Lawrence, which provides support for victims of sexual violence. Lawrence’s Women’s Transitional Care Services received $110,000. WTCS provides shelter and peer counseling advocacy and other services to survivors of domestic violence.

The increases in funding will allow the expansion of services into Jefferson and Franklin counties.

“Ending violence takes each of us, but the impact that the Legislature can have on thousands of victims is huge,” Sarah Terwelp, executive director of WTCS, said during a meeting at United Way of Douglas County offices, 2518 Ridge Court.

Also present were state Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, who introduced a budget amendment to get the funding increase, and state Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence.

“When everyone works together it’s amazing what we can accomplish,” Ballard said.

The additional funding allows GaDuGi to hire someone to serve as child and family outreach coordinator for southern Jefferson County, executive director Sarah Jane Russell said.

WTCS will be able to expand its services into Jefferson County and provide services in Ottawa to the outlying areas in Franklin County, Terwelp said.

Currently in some areas of the state, Kansans have to drive as many as 10 counties from their home to reach services, Barnett said.

And even with the additional funding, Kansas still has far to go to reduce violence, Barnett said. A recent federal report showed that Kansas ranks 26th in the nation – along with New York – in the rate of women killed by men.

“We believe this funding is a start to making this statistic history,” Barnett said.