North Platte Safe House Has Reached Capacity - KHGI-TV/KWNB-TV/KHGI-CD-Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings

A North Platte safe house for rape and domestic assault victims has reached capacity, forcing some of its residents to sleep on couches and in the building's library.

The Rape and Domestic Abuse program has seen an increase in the number of victims who need to stay at the facility. Executive director Joni Matson says the five-bedroom house the program currently uses is "completely full."

Program officials are having to look at other options to house the victims.

Matson says the program is not rejecting anyone, and administrators are always looking for backup plans. In some cases, the program has even paid for residents to stay at motels.

Matson says program officials eventually hope to offer a transitional home to help residents become stable and independent.