Just Start – Stop The Violence

The goal of the State Project is to promote increased community awareness of all types of domestic violence in all age groups across Oklahoma through advocacy, education, and survivor support.

1. Educate ourselves about domestic violence and be able to recognize the signs.
2. Raise awareness and advocate for education related to domestic violence in all age groups in schools, churches, and tribal nations, etc.
3. Distribute resource cards or cling stickers with the confidential 24/7 Oklahoma SafeLine number     1 (800) 522-7233 to local high schools, rural libraries, and county courthouses, etc.
4. Raise awareness during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.
   1. Wear Purple Thursdays. In Oklahoma, every Thursday in October is Wear Purple Thursday.
   2. Engage in a survivor support project during October.
   3. Participate in special community events during October that raise awareness.
   4. Expand awareness worldwide by participating in Orange the World Day focused on ending all types of violence against women and girls. Wear orange on November 25th.
5. Seek out resources and collaborate with community shelters, civic groups, coalitions, and tribal partners, etc. to support survivors.
   1. Host local and/or county-wide donation drives/fundraisers to provide in-kind donations to domestic violence shelters. (gas cards; prepaid cell phones; new unopened toiletries, socks, and underwear; and cold-weather outerwear, etc.)
   2. Consider a hands-on project that would support survivors.
6. Utilize OSU Education Specialists to assist with educational activities to implement action items.
7. Encourage each county to establish a State Project Chair and committee.

Domestic violence numbers are staggering! In the United States, an estimated 10 million people experience domestic violence every year. About 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner. Oklahoma ranks first in the nation! About 49.1% of Oklahoma women and 40.7% of Oklahoma men experience domestic violence in their lifetimes. Oklahoma ranks third in the U.S. for the number of women killed by men in single-victim, single-offender homicides. See references below.

County Awards:

• 1st Place $25
• 2nd Place $15
• 3rd Place $10

Local Awards:

• 1st Place $25
• 2nd Place $15
• 3rd Place $10

Committee Members

• Kathy Fentress, SE Chairman
• Rhonda Carter, SW Member
• Shirley Nero, NE Member
• Robbie Sloan, SE Member

Resources and References

• Purple Ribbon Resources
• World Population Review
• The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence