Sallisaw Mayor Julie Ferguson proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Sallisaw at a proclamation signing Thursday at the gazebo at Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library in Sallisaw. The proclamation was at the request of the Sallisaw Police Department Special Victims Unit, represented by Detective John Owens, left of the proclamation, who is the unit's co-chairman.
Representatives of the numerous agencies and organizations working to prevent domestic violence joined in to support the proclamation.
Owens said several events are planned to make the public aware of domestic violence, including the silhouettes set up on the library lawn, which represent deceased victims of domestic violence.
The Special Victims Unit will have a spaghetti dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Masonic Lodge Hall on Redwood Street in Sallisaw to raise funds for the unit. Meals will be $6. Carry-out orders may be ordered by contacting Tucker Martens at 918-315-8356.
The Sequoyah County Coordinated Community Response Team/Sexual Assault Response Team, led by Cindy Smith, is holding a chili cook-off at 6 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds to raise money to send team members to the National Women's Conference in Dallas for further training.
The entry fee is $75 and awards will be given for the best chili, best dessert and best presentation. Chili tasting kits will be available at the door for $5 and each buyer will get tickets to vote for the best chili, dessert and presentation.
Owens pointed out that domestic violence is the second most reported crime in Sallisaw and the Special Victims Unit is dedicated to the protection of victims and the prosecution of offenders.
Oklahoma is ranked third in the nation for women killed by men in single victim, single offender homicides. A 2010 National Violence Against Women Survey found that the lifetime prevalence of rape, physical violence and stalking toward women by an intimate partner to be greater in Oklahoma than in any other state.
Owens and Martens co-chair the Special Victims Unit. Debby Keith is treasurer and Shawna Morris is secretary.
To report domestic violence, call Owens at 918-315-2842 or Martens at 918-315-8356.
Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director
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