SAPULPA — October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), and this year’s theme is With Survivors, Always. DVAM is a national campaign dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence and the theme builds on the 2025 theme by shifting focus from general awareness to tangible action, emphasizing solidarity, support, and standing with survivors.
“This year’s theme helps all of us to understand and be a part of each survivor’s journey toward safety and support,” said Lori Gonzalez, Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS) Vice President of Advocacy Services. “Survivors deserve action.”
Domestic Violence (DV) is a violent crime and can happen to anyone of any age, race, or sexual orientation. It is a term used synonymously with intimate partner violence (IPV), which involves a spouse or an intimate partner. It also includes violence against the elderly, children, and parents.
“Domestic Violence comes in many forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, and sexual,” said Gonzalez. “Other types of domestic violence include financial, emotional, and digital abuse; stalking, and sexual and reproductive coercion.” Gonzalez also stated that we can add Human Trafficking to the ever-growing list of forms of domestic violence.
The ever-increasing presence of AI is also something that is becoming a frightening aspect of Domestic Violence, she added.
Unfortunately, Oklahoma ranks very high for Domestic Violence and DV-related homicides.
According to information provided by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, Oklahoma ranks number one in the nation for lifetime domestic violence prevalence.
“About 49 % of women and nearly 41% of men, in Oklahoma, experience domestic violence in their lifetimes,” said Gonzalez.
Specifically, there were over 29 thousand reported domestic violence incidents and over 33 thousand victims of domestic violence, according to the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board’s Annual Report (2024).
Those numbers mark three consecutive years of increase in those reported categories.
In addition, there were 87 domestic violence homicide victims in 2024, which marked a 29 percent decrease from 2023 when there were 122 domestic violence deaths. That number is also the lowest since 2017, according to the Oklahoma DV Fatality Review Board.
“While the numbers have decreased, in that category, one death is too many,” Gonzalez said. “We have to continue pouring all of our efforts into making sure that number continues to decrease.”
Gonzalez pointed to another disturbing trend that of strangulation.
“It is not always fatal, but often causes long-lasting injuries and trauma,” said Gonzalez. “A study of seven Oklahoma Police jurisdictions, funded by the National Institute of Justice, found that 80% of women abused by their partner had been strangled during that relationship.”
There are many ways to help survivors of domestic violence. Gonzalez suggests educating yourself and others, listening without judgement, and encouraging those affected to seek out professional support.
“We have to break the silence surrounding Domestic Violence and help those affected by it in any way that we can,” said Gonzalez. “We also have to address the isolation that domestic violence can cause, especially in the more rural areas.”
Respecting a survivor’s boundaries is also of the utmost importance, she added. “There is no typical situation,” she said. “Each survivor’s situation is different, as is their journey toward safety, and we need to be sure we are advocating in a manner that best serves the survivor, according to their individual situation, throughout the entire process.”
Every October, organizations and individuals unite across the country for a national effort to uplift the needs, voices, and experiences of survivors.
Congress declared the month of October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989, and every October, organizations and individuals unite across the country for a national effort to uplift the needs, voices, and experiences of survivors.
DVIS serves Tulsa and Creek counties, and you can reach them at their 24-hour Helpline: 918-7HELP-ME (918-743-5763). You can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233; or Creek County DVIS, 918/2249290.