Domestic violence affects every community, every race, every age, and every socio-economic class. It does not discriminate by sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. An average of 20 people are physically abused by relatives and partners every single minute. That’s more than 10 million victims each year. In the United States, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will be physically abused, and millions of children will be abused or exposed to abuse.
Sadly, Oklahoma leads the nation in incidences of domestic abuse. According to the Oklahoma Department of Health, 49.1% of women and 40.7% of men will experience domestic violence. This is the highest in the United States.
Victims live in daily, silent fear within their own homes. Domestic violence affects every person in the home and has long-lasting traumatic effects on the well being of children and adults. These members of our communities suffer physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The consequences cross generations and last a lifetime.
In October of 1981, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence created a “Day of Unity” to connect advocates working to end violence against women and children. The first national domestic violence toll-free hotline was established in 1987, and the first Domestic Violence Awareness month was observed. Public Law 101-112 designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month was finally passed by Congress in 1989 and has passed every year since. This is a time to acknowledge domestic violence survivors, be a voice for its victims, and spread information about resources and help for those who suffer in silence.
The First Presbyterian Church at 102 East Noble in Guthrie will be holding a dinner and candlelight vigil for the victims of domestic violence. The event will be on Wednesday, October 19th. Dinner is at 5:30 p.m., and the vigil will begin at 7:00 p.m. There is no cost to attend, and all ages are welcome (hosted by Wings of Hope Family Crisis Center in Stillwater).
If you, or someone you know, is in danger, please use a safe computer (where no one can see that you’ve contacted someone) or phone to call, text, or email a hotline, law enforcement, a school counselor, a medical professional, or 911 when it is safe to do so.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800--
799-7233 or SMS Text “START” to 88788 - available 24/7 and will respond in multiple languages.
The Oklahoma Domestic Violence Hotline:
800-522-7233 - 24 hours Oklahoma Attorney General Domestic Abuse Safeline: 800-522-7233 YWCA Abuse/Crisis Intervention Domestic Violence Hotline: 800--
522-7233 or 405-917--
9922 Wings of Hope Crisis Line in Stillwater: 800--
624-3020 or 405-624--
3020