DHS hoping to raise domestic violence awareness

NORMAN, Okla. (KOKH) — The Department of Human Services held a domestic violence awareness event Wednesday, one of several planned to educate and end domestic abuse in the state.

Wednesday's event at the University of Oklahoma DHS Training Center began with a 93-second pause for victim's of domestic violence. Norman Police Department officers and DHS made their message clear through numbers and paper cut-outs representing those affected by domestic abuse. Norman Sgt. Raymond Goins says even with illustration we don't know the exact numbers.

"We have a tremendous amount reported but we probably only have less than 50 percent of the incidents that actually occur reported to the police," Goins said.

The event ended with bubbles in the air from family members who've lost their loved ones. All hoping to put an end to the plague. Goins says he works with the Women's Resource Center to help victims, but the Batter's Intervention Program helps abusers themselves.

"They receive counseling and anger management conflict resolution. If there is a substance abuse problem, they get counseling for substance abuse," Goins said.

He says there is still work to be done to put and end to the horrific trend.

"We've increased steadily since 1997 of single victim, single perpetrator deaths in the State of Oklahoma," Goins said.

This is just one event being held by the DHS. The 9th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Press Conference and Awards Ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Oklahoma State Capitol. On Oct. 27 at 1 p.m., DHS will host a Walk to Remember at the Sequoyah Building south lawn.