Oklahoma ranks 17th in the nation for deaths of women by men

"One in four women will experience domestic violence," said Cissy Carden, Executive Director of the LeFlore County Women's Crisis Services.

To bring awareness of domestic violence the Women's Crisis Services and Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault presented Silent Witnesses Saturday, October 27, on the Leflore County Courthouse lawn.

The Silent Witness program is an exhibit that travels across Oklahoma during the month of October to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

"The Silent Witness Project is a national initiative to honor those individuals who were murdered by current or former intimate partners.  Each life sized red silhouette represents someone who once lived, worked, and had friends and family before death.  Each person was someone’s child, neighbor or sibling. In turn, each of us is affected by domestic violence," said Carden.

Each witness bears a plaque that tells their story. The silhouettes range in age from three months to 77 years.

"We come here today not only to bring awareness of domestic violence, but to honor the victims, of these horrific crimes," said Jeff Smith LeFlore County District Attorney.