Published: October 29, 2009 07:28 am      

Silent Witness March puts spotlight on domestic violence

In 2009, Oklahoma ranked fourth in the nation for the number of people who died as a result of domestic violence. People in the community joined together to remember those lives lost during a “Silent Witness March” on Wednesday.

A sea of red flowed down the street from the Woodward County Courthouse to Centennial Park as participants in red shirts carried 39 life-size red silhouettes in honor of the number of people, including unborn children, who died this year as a result of domestic violence in Oklahoma.

The march is sponsored through Northwest Domestic Crisis Services and the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

Janet Fitz, volunteer coordinator for Northwest Domestic Crisis Services, addressed the crowd while children ran around on the playground behind her.

She said, “Just remember the children that won’t have this opportunity because someone decided to take their lives.”

The names were read of each victim whose life ended violently at the hands of an abuser.

“No one should have to suffer like these people. Not in this town, not in this county, not in this state,” said volunteer Andra Smith.

Deborah, a victim of domestic violence, courageously shared part of her story with the crowd.

She said, “I was part of domestic violence when I didn’t know what it was. We’ve come a long way, our shelters are instrumental.”

However, she noted that when she was being abused, she didn't know where to turn.

In the end, Deborah said, "I took the law into my own hands because there was no one to help me.”

But that is why Northwest Domestic Crisis Services exists, to provide a place for women who may not have anywhere else to go.

So far in 2009, the organization has served 920 women in the Woodward and Guymon areas, Fitz said. The agency provides victims with assistance that includes counseling, 24-hour on call advocates, food, clothing, transportation and housing.

The program also helps women further their education, “so they can move on and not fall into the same trap,” Smith said.

“The main thing we give them when they arrive is time to relax and have a good night sleep without the fear of someone to hurt them. They don’t have to be afraid anymore,” Fitz said. “We are there from the beginning to the end and every stop along the way, we never want to leave you.”

Smith said when the economy is bad cases of domestic violence increase.

“Finances get tougher and increased feelings of fear, desperation and anger causes domestic violence to increase,” she said.

Organizers said the number of participants in this year's march was greater than last year.

Fitz said, “I know we’ve made a difference when I see the people turn out to walk with us and show support for these victims.”