Attorney General Drew Edmondson said Wednesday a pilot program to assist victims of domestic violence is being expanded after a 39 percent increase in telephone calls for help, reports the Associated Press. The increase in calls came in locations where 10 Wal-Mart stores took part in the “End the Silence–End the Violence” program. The stores are located in eight cities, with two stores each in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
Under the program, posters in English and Spanish are placed in restrooms and fitting rooms. Tear-off pads are attached to the posters containing the telephone number of a domestic violence hotline. “The fact that more people are getting help is a good thing,” Edmondson said. “The fact that there are so many people who need this assistance is heartbreaking. No one should have to be fearful in their own home.” The program is to be expanded to all 85 of the chain’s discount stores and Supercenters across Oklahoma. A similar program is operated in South Carolina.
Link: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OK_DOMESTIC_VIOLENC