LAWTON — A Lawton-area agency working to help victims of domestic and sexual violence will again host an annual walk intended to call awareness to the problem.
New Directions Domestic and Sexual Violence Services will host their sixth annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk Oct. 5. at Elmer Thomas Park. Participants will meet at 6 p.m. at the Patriot Pavilion.
Each year an estimated 10 million adults are abused by an intimate partner, according to a 2010 survey. Twenty men and women become victims of physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual assault, rape or stalking each minute in the U.S. Intimate partners, as defined by the Oklahoma Department of Health, are “current or former marital or nonmarital partners, including dating and courtship relationships and same-sex partners.”
New Directions helps victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in Caddo, Comanche and Cotton counties, said Program Director Latricia Kippers.
“New Directions has a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling for both residential and nonresidential clients, case management and court advocacy, a youth advocate, sexual assault response team and even provide shelter for victims’ pets,” said Kippers, who has been with New Directions for 7 years, 6 of which serving as case manager.
Kippers reported an uptick in needs since the COVID-19 pandemic first swept through the area last March.
“When the pandemic first began, we had a decline in services,” she said. “But now, there’s been a significant increase of people coming through seeking services.
“Initially, with people sheltering in place, it made it more difficult for victims to get out and access services. Now that those restrictions have been lifted, people are able to reach out and get services.”
Kerrie Mathews, executive director of Marie Detty Youth & Family Services, agreed with Kippers.
“They (victims) were stuck at home with their abusers, and may have been unable to even make a phone call,” Matthews said.
Providing safety for victims, their family members and even pets has helped New Directions’ clients break away from abusive situations.
“A lot of victims – even with kids – will not leave an abusive situation because they’re afraid their abusers will hurt their pets,” Kippers said. “We’re able to provide for the victims’ family members and through a partnership, we are usually able to provide a safe haven for them and their pets.”
New Directions staff invites community members to join them at 6 p.m. Oct. 28 at Elmer Thomas’ Lake Helen for a flower release ceremony to honor survivors and the memories of those who lost their lives to domestic violence. Mathews said the flowers will be donated by Scott’s House of Flowers.
Those who wish to participate in the sixth annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk are asked to donate personal hygiene items, baby supplies or pet food and supplies to New Directions. New Directions Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under Marie Detty Youth & Family Services. Donations may be tax deductible.
For more details, visit https://marie-detty.org.