Wal-Mart, State Teaming Up To Fight Domestic Violence

Tuesday, November 20th 2007, 5:00 pm

By: News On 6

Fifty-five people have died this year as victims of domestic violence in Oklahoma. News On Six anchor Terry Hood reports the state is teaming up with Wal-Mart to help victims find their way out of a potentially deadly situations.

According to the Violence Policy Center, Oklahoma ranks 10th in the nation when it comes to women murdered by men that they know. Experts say part of the problem is victims can't find a way out of the abusive situation.

It's hoped Tuesdayâ€™s announcement will give women a path to safety. The plan calls for what State Attorney General Drew Edmondson says is a simple poster that will be placed inside Wal-Mart stores across Oklahoma. The message is to encourage women who are victims of domestic violence to tell someone and get help.

â€œThere are tear out information sheets at the bottom of each one,â€ said Attorney General Edmondson.

â€œIt is a big problem in our state and our city,â€ said Tracey Redmon Booth.

Tracey Redmon Booth sees the problem everyday as director of Tulsa's Domestic Violence Intervention Service. She says the poster is just one more step to let women know resources to end the violence are available.

â€œThe important thing for women to know is they're not alone, that there are services available for them and their family and their children,â€ said Redmon Booth.

According to DVIS, in 2005, 25,000 were placed to 911 reporting domestic abuse in Tulsa. That same year more than 2,600 people had to get a personal protective order against someone they knew. Everyday, 37 women and children are in Tulsa's domestic violence center. And over the holidays, Redmon Booth says there's a 10% rise in domestic abuse.

Attorney General Edmondson says one of the big problems women face is their abuser is constantly keeping track of them. That is why these posters will only be placed in the women's restrooms and dressing rooms, area's their male abuser cannot go. Domestic violence counselors say this small step could go a long way to stop the silence.

â€œThe more we can follow up with consequences, the more of an impact and a message we can send that violence is not okay,â€ said Redmon Booth.

The posters will be placed in two Wal-Marts in Tulsa located at 71st and Memorial and Admiral and Memorial as well as Wal-Marts in Oklahoma City and six other cities across the state.

You can reach the Domestic Violence hotline by calling 7-HELP-ME or 743-5763.

Watch the video: Protecting Women From Domestic Violence

Related story:

11/20/2007 Wal-Mart Joins "End The Violence" Domestic Abuse Campaign