RCSO Offering 'Purses With A Purpose' For Domestic Violence Victims

Domestic violence victims often have to find a safe place, quickly, and can’t always take what they need with them, so the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office has found a way to help them.

A purse may not seem like much, but for victims of domestic violence, it may mean a lot.

That's why the sheriff’s office has organized Purses with a Purpose - they've only been at it for a few days and the response has been amazing.

Organizer Marti Jenkins said, “Being married to a law enforcement officer, I see, every day, as many as the other officers’ wives, the things that our officers go through."

Marti is married to Major Coy Jenkins with the Rogers County Sheriff’s Department. She had an idea to collect purses and stuffed animals to donate to the Safenet Services.

"She decided to get this program, Purses with a Purpose, with the idea of providing a personal touch to victims of domestic violence and other people in our community," Major Jenkins said.

Safenet offers temporary shelter to 30 to 35 victims of domestic violence and their children.

Marti said, "Many times they rush out of their house with only the clothes on their back, so if we can provide a little pick-me-up with a purse and some items inside, let’s do it."

Inside the purses, she's asking people to include lipstick, mascara, lotion, tissue and a notepad, among other things. Marti said the purses will be given to the women for Valentine’s Day. 

She said it's a simple, but necessary gesture.

"The impact that we can make on these ladies’ life - to just show them people care is huge, and it can also show someone in a domestic violence situation that, wow, people in our community care about us," Marti said.

The purses can be dropped off at the sheriff’s office, or, you can call a deputy to come pick them up.