Wal-Mart, Oklahoma AG Announce Domestic Violence Campaign

11/20/2007 -- It can come as a cruel word, a manipulating fear or a slap to the face. It never happens in some homes, and in others it happens every day. It is often hidden, shunned by polite society as something that only occurs on the bad side of town. It leaves its victims feeling hopeless and trapped, suffering silently and alone.

It is domestic abuse, and Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson and Wal-Mart are launching an innovative public awareness campaign in advance of the holiday season to help those who suffer under its tremendous weight.

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Called “End the Silence - End the Violence,” the campaign is designed to help abuse victims secretly locate shelters and domestic violence service programs in their area. Wal-Mart has placed specially-designed informational posters in the female-only areas of its stores, namely women’s dressing rooms and bathrooms, so victims can privately access the information out of sight of their abuser. The posters include tear-off resource cards, in English and Spanish, with contact information for the Oklahoma Safeline.

A 24-hour hotline, the Oklahoma Safeline serves as a statewide referral source for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Calls to 1-800-522-SAFE are answered by a crisis intervention services specialist who can provide information about law enforcement and safety options and refer the caller to local resources for help.

The pilot project is launching in 10 Wal-Mart stores in eight Oklahoma communities. Two stores in Tulsa and two in Oklahoma City will display the posters, as will Wal-Mart stores in Poteau, Enid, Miami, Durant, Weatherford and Guymon.

“Our message is simple,” Edmondson said. “Help is available - all you have to do is ask. It takes strength and courage to escape an abuser, and the Safeline can help people take those critical first steps. The resources we have in place do no good if the victims who need them don’t know where to find them. That’s why this program is so important.”

Domestic abuse is a problem in Oklahoma, and the statistics tell a troubling story. So far, 55 people have died in domestic violence-related crimes this year.
“It’s tragic to lose a mother, daughter, sister or friend to domestic abuse,” said Edmondson. “We will never know how many of those deaths could have been prevented if these women had only known where to go for help.”

“We are honored to play a role in bringing this program to citizens across Oklahoma,” said Angie Stoner, Senior Manager, Public Affairs of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “Placing domestic violence awareness posters in the women’s restrooms and fitting rooms of each of our Wal-Mart stores will help to reduce the tragic toll this quiet villain plays in the health of Oklahomans.”

Edmondson and Wal-Mart believe the “End the Silence - End the Violence” campaign can have a positive change on these negative statistics.

“More than three million Oklahomans shop at Wal-Mart,” said Stoner. “Our stores are the perfect place to link domestic violence victims to the programs and services that can save their lives. Whether the information is seen directly by the victim or conveyed through a friend, getting the information to those who need it is our goal.”

The attorney general said his alliance with Wal-Mart came about by sheer happenstance, and the retailer has proven to be a good friend to survivors of this terrible crime.

“Last year I learned that an important source of emergency money for women looking to escape their abusers had run dry,” Edmondson said. “I mentioned this to an associate who works for Wal-Mart. The company responded with $15,000 and a pledge to do more. In the last two years, Wal-Mart has donated $49,000 to the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault’s emergency escape fund. The company’s participation in the “End the Silence - End the Violence” campaign is further evidence of Wal-Mart’s commitment to help.”

Edmondson’s office and Wal-Mart selected the stores participating in the pilot project based on the local abuse programs’ capacity to serve a potentially-large influx of clients. Care was also taken to select both urban and rural project sites located in different areas of the state.

“Domestic abuse can be emotional, verbal, physical, or it can be all three,” Edmondson said. “It’s an equal opportunity crime that doesn’t care about the color of your skin, what church you attend or how much money you make. It happens in every community, and it’s every community’s duty to fight it and the destruction it leaves in its wake.”

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has more than 30,000 associates in Oklahoma. In 2006, Wal-Mart Stores and Sam’s Club gave $4,873,464 in cash and in-kind donations to local causes and organizations in the communities they serve in the state of Oklahoma. Through additional funds raised through stores and Clubs throughout the state, Wal-Mart contributed and raised a grand total of $7,161,208 as a result of its presence in Oklahoma.

Source: Oklahoma Attorney General