Published: July 24, 2008 11:49 am      

Program to fight domestic violence expands

OKLAHOMA CITY — Attorney General Drew Edmondson said Wednesday a pilot program to assist victims of domestic violence is being expanded after a 39 percent increase in telephone calls for help.

The increase in calls came in locations where 10 Wal-Mart stores took part in the "End the Silence--End the Violence" program. The stores are located in eight cities, with two stores each in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Under the program, posters in English and Spanish are placed in restrooms and fitting rooms. Tear-off pads are attached to the posters containing the telephone number of a domestic violence hotline.

"The fact that more people are getting help is a good thing," Edmondson said. "The fact that there are so many people who need this assistance is heartbreaking. No one should have to be fearful in their own home."

The program is to be expanded to all 85 of the chain's discount stores and Supercenters across Oklahoma, according to Angela Stoner, public affairs specialist from Wal-Mart's headquarters in Bentonville, Ark.

She said a similar program is operated in South Carolina.

The 39 percent average increase in calls to the 24-hour Oklahoma Safeline occurred over a four-month period in the 10 locations. The hotline is operated by YWCA personnel, who give callers information about law enforcement and safety options and refer them to local shelters or other services.

Josh Beasley, a YWCA official, said more than 23,000 cases of domestic violence were reported last year in Oklahoma. He said it is estimated that only one of seven cases of domestic violence are reported to authorities, meaning 160,000 incidents probably occurred.

Ninety-nine percent of domestic violence victims seeking assistance were women over a one-year period ending in March 2007, officials said.

"Men are victims, too, and we certainly hope those men who are abused will call the Safeline and get help," Edmondson said. "Far more often, it happens that the woman is the victim, and she is often physically controlled by her abuser to the point that she is rarely in public without him. A quick trip to the Wal-Mart bathroom might be her only opportunity to seek help safely."



The Oklahoma Safeline number is 1-800-522-SAFE.