By KATELYNN BALL, Staff Reporter
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and to observe this, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is hosting their annual Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Seminar, October 13th from 6-8pm in the Student Center Ballroom.
This is a community education event where everyone in the area is invited including the Alva community, students, faculty and staff of Northwestern. “We will be showing the video “Telling Amy’s Story” and then have a question and answer session afterwards.” Said Bailey Trammel, Director of Student Success and Counseling.
This year’s event will have a keynote speaker as well as a movie screening. “In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), Christopher Boring in collaboration with the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association and the Northwest Domestic Crisis Center, is hosting a screening of Telling Amy’s Story at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in the Student Union Ballroom on Oct. 13, 2016 at 6 p.m.” according to the press release.
“Oklahoma’s seventy-seven counties are divided into twenty-seven District Attorney districts, comprising one to five counties each. Oklahoma’s twenty-seven elected District Attorneys are tasked with the responsibility for prosecuting criminal violations within their districts. The prevalence of domestic violence crime in Oklahoma continues each year. In 2012, there were 24,349 reports of domestic violence made by Oklahoma law enforcement. District Attorneys treat crimes of domestic violence seriously, taking steps to ensure that offenders are prosecuted to the full extent of the law and that victims are served throughout the process. For more information, visit http://www.ok.gov/dac/. For information on victims’ rights, visit the Victim’s Services Division of the District Attorneys Council at http://www.ok.gov/dac/Victims/index.html.” according to the press release.
“Domestic violence is a devastating and growing issue in communities in every county of Oklahoma,” said District Attorney Christopher Boring. “By bringing this screening to Woods County, we hope to raise awareness of domestic violence and bring community members together – from police officers and teachers to stay-at-home parents and farmers – to learn about the signs of domestic violence and resources for victims.”
Telling Amy’s Story is a powerful documentary of the story of a young mother who died at the hands of her husband as she was trying to leave their abusive relationship.This documentary chronicles the time leading up to the death of Amy Homan McGee, a mother of two who was shot and killed in 2001 by her husband. McGee was an employee of Verizon.
Community members are welcomed to donate an old mobile phone or accessories to Verizon’s HopeLine program at the showing of Telling Amy’s Story and at their local District Attorney’s office.
As a technology company, Verizon supports victims of domestic abuse through its HopeLine program, collecting no-longer-used mobile phones and accessories from any carrier to be refurbished and donated to domestic violence shelters and support organizations such as the YWCA or Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS). To learn more about Telling Amy’s Story, visit www.telling.psu.edu.
For more information on the Telling Amy’s Story screening hosted by Christopher Boring call 580-256-8616.
“Help is always available. All services to victims are FREE! Trained advocates are available by calling the Alva office at 580-327-6648 and after hours by calling the 24-hour crisis hotline at 888-256-1215,”said Trammel.