Community Meets for Purple Thursday Events
On Thursday, October 20, Purple Thursday, Comanche Nation Women’s Shelter held a movie event for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Betty Simmons, has been the Program Director of the Comanche Nation Domestic Violence Program since 2002.
“We had Unity Day on October 6, where we had all of the tribal programs from across the state of Oklahoma was here to distribute information about their program and also to join in with us to help celebrate Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” she said. “Also, today is known as Purple Thursday throughout the United States. On this particular day, those who support the victims and survivors of domestic violence, wear purple to show your support.”
There was a booth with literature for those who attended the event.
“We came here at the Comanche Nation Domestic Violence Program to let everybody know that we are here whether you need us or not, we're here,” Simmons said. “There was an old saying in my community when I was growing up by a funeral home that said it's better to know us and not need us than to need us and not know us. So that's the way we feel at the Women's Shelter. It's better that you know the services that we can provide so that you can share it with others and if it ever comes to a point where you need that service, you know what's available.”
She said events like this help the information out and it educates the public on domestic violence.
“For one thing, it helps to get the information out and it educates the public on domestic violence. For so long, domestic violence has been a taboo subject. Nobody talks about it. It's between a husband and wife, or it's between partners, and it's supposed to be kept in a secret. But as society advances, we begin to know it's not a secret because it affects everybody,” Simmons said. “So, we're trying to educate the public that you no longer have to stay there and suffer because love should not hurt. There are places that can help you.”
The Women’s shelter offers individual and group counseling, budget classes, workforce help and a transitional living program.
Simmons said anyone who needs help should not hesitate to call the program at 580-492-3950.
