The Woodward News

Local News

October 20, 2012

High Plains Technology Center site for Silent Witness displays

Gary Engel Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — Displays to raise awareness of domestic violence are coming to the High Plains Technology Center.

These "Silent Witness" displays will be exhibited at the technology Monday through Thursday.

Sponsored by Verizon Wireless, the Silent Witness displays are in recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month across the nation. The company is assisting the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (OCADVSA) in the effort.



IMAGES OF VICTIMS

Virginia Daril, public relations manager for Verizon Wireless-South Central Region, said the Silent Witness displays consist of life-sized cardboard cutouts of persons who died as the result of an domestic violence attack.

"The displays include a story about who the person was and how they died," Daril said. "They range from ages 3 to 77."

The displays will also offer information about what can be done to help stop domestic violence, including how abuse may be reported confidentially, she said.

"We're hoping for a good response because of the growing problem of domestic violence in Oklahoma, as well as across the nation," said Daril. "There's also information provided about giving support to victims that will be provided at the displays."

To learn more about domestic violence issues in Oklahoma, visit Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence website at  www.ocadvsa.org.



VERIZON PROVIDES ADDITIONAL HELP

Daril also spotlighted 2 programs the wireless company is involved with year-round to assist abuse victims.  One is HopeLine, through which donated and then refurbished phones are distributed to shelters and support organizations for use by persons who don't have a phone, in large measure as a way to report an attack.

"Since 2001, we've accepted phones from all manufacturers to upgrade and supply to the support organizations," Daril said.

There will be a drop box for phones at the silent witness displays, or phones may be turned in at Verizon retail stores.

Since the nearest Verizon stores to Woodward are located over an hour away in Alva or Guymon, Daril said that local residents also have the option of mailing in their old phones.



CUSTOMERS MAY DIAL #HOPE TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Verizon's other program, which began in 2002, is geared toward assisting Verizon customers. Wherever they are across the nation, Verizon customers can dial #HOPE and be connected to professional support confidentially. "This number is routed to the National Domestic Violence Hotline," Daril said. "For those who don't have a Verizon phone, it's (800) 799-7233."

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