News Release
11/04/2009
W.A. Drew Edmondson, Attorney General
AG, Walmart Continue Domestic Violence Prevention Project
Domestic Violence Awareness Month has drawn to a close, but Attorney General Drew Edmondson wants victims to know that help is available every month of the year.
To help publicize this important message, the attorney general and retailer Walmart are announcing the continuation of their successful “End the Silence - End the Violence” campaign.
With the aim of ending domestic abuse, the campaign is designed to help abuse victims locate shelters and domestic violence service programs in their area. To help spread the word about these essential services, Walmart has placed specially-designed informational posters in its women’s dressing rooms and bathrooms so victims can privately access the information out of sight of their abuser. The posters include tear-off resource cards, in English and Spanish, with contact information for the Oklahoma Safeline.
The Oklahoma Safeline is a toll-free hotline that serves as a statewide referral source for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Calls to 1-800-522-SAFE are answered by a crisis intervention services specialist who can provide information about law enforcement and safety options and refer the caller to local resources for help. The 24-hour Safeline is also equipped to handle callers who are deaf and hard of hearing.
“Walmart is proud to play a role in getting this information to our customers who need it. We hope our partnership with the Attorney General’s Office will be part of the solution to the problem of domestic violence in Oklahoma,” said Walmart Vice President and Regional General Manager Henry Jordan.
Statistics from the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board show 60 people have died in ftlinedomestic violence-related crimes this year in Oklahoma. According to the attorney general’s victim services unit, the Safeline averages almost 100 calls each month, and about 99 percent of the domestic violence victims who seek assistance from Oklahoma service providers are women or children.
“This is why we focused on women-only areas of the stores,” Edmondson said. “In some cases male abusers physically control their female victims to the point that she is rarely out of the house without him. The posters are located in areas where a woman can access the information without her abuser’s knowledge.”
In addition to placing the posters in their stores, Walmart is again providing all funding for the project.
“Being able to provide women a quiet chance to take a phone number that could make all the difference in their lives and in their families - is a good feeling,” said Jordan. “Walmart is committed to giving back to the communities we serve and we thank our customers that continue to allow us to give back through programs like these.”
After a pilot project was launched two years ago in 10 Walmart stores, the Safeline experienced a 39.4-percent increase in the number of calls from victims seeking assistance. Encouraged by this success, the project was expanded to each of the company’s Oklahoma Supercenter and discount stores.
“By partnering with Walmart, we are able to push our message to every corner of the state, every day of the year,” Edmondson said. “Our message is simple - domestic violence is a crime and help is available.”