By Kaitlyn Burden
Have you ever anxiously walked to your car at night? Do you call a friend or constantly check over your shoulder when you walk the streets by yourself? Have you ever been afraid of someone that you love? It’s no wonder why we as women, have been trained to fear being in certain settings or to protect ourselves. In Oklahoma alone, 4 out of every 10 women have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. With this type of statistic, it doesn’t come as a surprise that we naturally fear strangers because even our loved ones are capable of being abusers.
On average, an Oklahoman dies every five days as a result of domestic violence. Which is why there are shelters and programs in the Oklahoma City metro area that keep spouses and children safe while they figure out their next steps. Some of the most notable shelters include YWCA Oklahoma City and Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. These organizations specialize in advocating for families that have experienced domestic violence and continuously open their doors to those in need of their services.
Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault says it best when they explain their main mission is to, “We provide education, shed light on issues that affect all victims, and advocate for legislation that will better support victims. Together we work towards an abuse-free future for our state, our country, and our world.” The YWCA is specifically the only Attorney General certified shelter for domestic violence victims in Oklahoma and also sustains revenue by providing a high-quality resale shop called “Our Sisters’ Closet”. This shop provides necessities to individuals and families to help rebuild their lives.
The YWCA Oklahoma City specially trains advocates and counselors to work with clients that have experienced, “extreme violence, often by the hands of someone they love and trust.” The YWCA understands the victims needs and works to provide free services to anyone needing help. They also partner with several organizations such as United Way of Oklahoma, YWCA USA and VINELink that care about ending domestic violence and assault. The work and services that these shelters provide for the community are extremely necessary and life changing for the individuals and families that need it.
In the end, domestic violence and sexual assault is NOT acceptable in our society. Consent and respect are crucial components to ending these tragic incidences and there should be more training, education and overall support for this cause. Too many people in the world are suffering from domestic violence and sexual assault, it is our responsibility as humans to put this to an end. For more information, visit these websites for more information, resources and statistics.
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