Byline: Kaylea Berry/Reporter
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Center for Victim Services department hosted a scavenger hunt on Oct. 27 at the College of Muscogee Nation Student Center. October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this was the last event of the month to help spread awareness.
“This was our big event to bring in community members to spread the word about domestic violence, as well as what our program does and the other programs here,” said MaCaylin Autaubo, MCN CVS outreach coordinator. “We were previously known as the Family Violence Prevention Program, and now we have our official name changed to the Center for Victims Services.”
“Our goal is to work with victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes.”
The department organized the event with ten departments to help citizens better understand the services available to victims and families.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Lighthorse, Family Violence Prevention Program (FVPP) now CVS, Youth Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), Children & Family Services Administration (CFSA), District Attorney’s office, Tribal District Court, Social Services, and Behavioral Health set up booths at the event as part of the scavenger hunt.
“These programs are all programs that are helping people in the community,” said Autaubo. “We help people with whatever that’s going through their life at that moment; we’re just trying to make that process easier for them.”
“That’s kind of how all of the programs here just tie in with that same mission, and the same goal is just to help everybody in the community.”
Participants were given a sheet with ten questions or facts about the programs and what they offer after signing in.
Participants had to complete the sheet by speaking with each booth to determine which program corresponded with their questions or facts. This was an excellent way for everyone to learn about the programs offered or refresh their memory about what they already knew.
“We’ve had a really good crowd that came through; many students came through asking really good questions and just really involved in the scavenger hunt with us,” Autaubo said.
The CVS department’s closing event for Domestic Violence Awareness Month was the scavenger hunt. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) started in October 1987 to bring awareness to DV issues and unite individuals and organizations with the same aspirations.
Below are a few DV facts according to the NCADV about American Indians and Alaska Natives:
- American Indians are three times more likely to experience sexual violence than any other ethnic group. Over half of American Indian women report having experienced sexual assault.
- On some reservations in the United States, the murder rate of Native women is ten times higher than in the rest of the nation.
- American Indians are three times more likely to experience sexual violence than any other ethnic group. Over half of American Indian women report having experienced sexual assault.
- American Indian/Alaska Native children experience PTSD at the same rate as combat veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
“I think we’re pretty satisfied with what’s happened this month for us,” Autaubo said.
“To the victims and survivors of domestic violence, you have a voice, and there are people and opportunities for you to get out of that situation with whatever help you need, and it’s just taking that first step to get that help.”
For assistance or more information, please call the Center for Victims Services at 918-732-7979; after hours, call Lighthorse Police at 918-732-7800. The National Domestic Violence Hotline number is 800-799-7233.
