Correction on Domestic Violence

Grove Crisis Center now county's main Domestic Violence center              

With the recent opening of the Community Crisis Center office in Grove, victims of domestic and sexual violence now have a convenient full-service office. The new office is located between downtown and Sailboat Bridge on the east side of Highway 59 near Rustic Rehab.

Speaking to the Grove Rotary Club, the organization's director Kelsey Samuels said that one in three law enforcement calls is related to domestic violence. "Oklahoma consistently ranks in the top five or six states in the nation for domestic violence."

 The mission of the Community Crisis Center is to end domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking through client services, community collaboration, and public awareness.

The Crisis Center serves three counties, Ottawa, Delaware, and Craig. "About 30 to 40 percent of our clients are from Delaware County. It can happen to anyone and it often takes clients leaving their situation nine to 11 times before they finally leave for good."

The Crisis Center is based in Miami where they have a 24-bed shelter as well as two transitional apartments. Besides the Grove location, they have walk-in advocacy centers in Jay and Vinita.

Last year the center served 199 individuals including 81 children. In addition, 172 individuals used the services of their walk-in offices. A 24-hour hotline handled 462 calls and the center prepared more than 21,000 meals. The average stay in their shelter is 33 days.

The director noted that one in four women suffer an incidence of domestic violence in their lifetime as do one in seven men.

Among the services available at the Grove office are adult and children's counseling support groups. Individual counseling is also available. There are also free legal services available to help with court appearances and filing of Protective Orders.

Another important program is transportation help. The center has a van that will help with taking clients to appointments, work, and court appearances.

In the summer, the center is one of a few in Oklahoma that provides equine therapy through a group based in Baxter Springs, Kan. Children and adults have found the program especially helpful.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and as part of that, the Center will be holding its annual Caring Hands Luncheon on Oct. 15th at the First United Methodist Church in Grove. The luncheon cost is $25, all of which goes to support the center. The speaker will be Layla Freeman.