DUNCAN — While October is best known for the beginning of fall and Halloween festivities, those at Women’s Haven are doing their part in educating the community that it is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

An agency of the United Way of Stephens County, Women’s Haven receives more than 500 crisis calls through their hotline and help more than 200 women and children by either shelter or advocacy services every year.

Additionally, the agency assisted 23 women in obtaining protective orders through the courts last year, and there were 49 group sessions for men who were court ordered to attend the

Batterer’s Intervention program that they facilitate. DVAM is an effort to get those numbers down, not only in the county but the country.

Women’s Haven’s best known way of creating awareness locally is through the Silent Witness program, which is a nationwide initiative and will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 10. Previously, this display was set up at Kiddieland in Fuqua Park. This year it will be set up across the street in Memorial Park on the corner to the south of the Earle P. Halliburton statue.

“It honors the victims of domestic violence murders,” said Penny Gardner, Women’s Haven director. “They are silhouette forms of baby carriages, children, women and men with a story on them about the person they represent.”

Some of these stories are about innocent bystanders who got caught in a domestic violence situation such as friends and children. It’s a somber reminder of what domestic violence can lead to.

To start of DVAM, Women’s Haven will be hosting two ribbon ceremonies on Oct. 1. One will be at 10 a.m. at Kiddieland and the other will begin at 2 p.m. in Waurika on Main Street. During these events, those who choose to attend will help cover those two areas in purple ribbons that represent the cause.

“We’re going to cover the chain link fence at Kiddieland with ribbons,” said Gardner. “We want everyone to come.”

Another event involving purple is the Oklahoma DVAM kick-off day on Oct. 4. The State Capitol is hosting an official event at 6:30 p.m. that evening in Oklahoma City, however, Women’s Haven encourages everyone to don purple that day in support of the cause.

Another way Women’s Haven is hoping to get the community’s attention is by recruiting local restaurants to have “An Empty Place at the Table.”

When a life is lost to domestic violence, it leaves a hole in their family and in the community. This project also includes a true story of a person who was a victim of domestic violence on each table.

“It makes a bold statement to the public that that person is no longer here,” Gardner said. “The merchants are really helpful by dressing it up pretty and making it something to see when people walk in.”

They have also sent awareness packets to churches in their area and are available for presentations to churches or organizations within the church. Many churches and businesses plan to announce DVAM on their marquees.

What Women’s Haven does throughout the year is help the men, women and children involved in a domestic violence situation. Whether it be providing victims means to get away and get help or working with the aggressors on their abusive behavior, they dedicate time and money to making the area safer.

Because of the demands of their victims’ needs such as food, clothing, hygiene items, gas vouchers and bus tickets, funding is a must. Resale Haven, their resale shop, provides funds but it isn’t nearly enough, which is why the United Way campaign is essential.

“It is very vital because without it, we would have to raise those funds, and fundraising is difficult,” said Teresa Biffle, executive director. “We do some fundraisers but we use (the United Way funds) to match state grants.”

United Way’s annual Day of Caring at the end of the campaign also has benefited Women’s Haven throughout the years. Just last year, the volunteers did a massive cleanup on the property’s large lawn.

“The United Way has always done an awesome job on Day of Caring for us,” Biffle said. “We’re thankful for all the volunteers who give time to support Women’s Haven.”