OKMULGEE – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Center for Victim Services and the College of the Muscogee Nation Health and Wellness are hosting a special screening and discussion of “Telling Amy’s Story” for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This will be happening at CMN’s STEM Building, Lecture Hall on Oct. 16 at 11 am-2 pm. There will be snacks and t-shirts available. This event is specifically for the CMN campus community.
CMN Case Manager/Title IX Coordinator Lisa Bear (Mvskoke/Choctaw) spoke to Mvskoke Media about this showing event, partnering with CVS and the purpose of this showing.
The collaboration between CMN and CVS has been years in the making. Bear and CVS Outreach Coordinator MaCaylin Autaubo (Witchita) spoke about collaborating with CMN a few years ago. Through discussions, this year they planned to do a movie screening with a panel which was selected by CVS. According to Bear, she said that CVS is always thinking about how to bring awareness towards the CMN students.
CVS will be putting together discussions about this screening and this screening is mostly about Amy’s ordeal with domestic violence, according to Bear.
“This particular screening is less than an hour and it would leave time for the panel discussion. My take on “Telling Amy’s story” recounts views from co-worker, friends, family, and the detectives as she lived with domestic violence,” Bear said.
“My hopes for this screening and panel discussion is to help our students understand the warning signs when they are in a relationship and also help us know who to turn to if our co-workers, friends, or loved one is in a relationship that we may suspect domestic violence.”
According to Oklahoma Attorney General Genter Drummond, “51.5% of Oklahoma women and 46.0% of men will experience sexual violence, physical violence, and /or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime.”
Since October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, CVS has planned out a month of different events, and Bear is very thankful that includes CMN students.
“This collaboration is to bring awareness on what to do if we encounter a friend, family member, or fellow student that is experiencing domestic violence and hopefully, this will ensure individuals know the resources and help available to them,” Bear said.
“If we all take the time to learn about the resources the tribe has to offer then we can collaboratively help one another.”
