By Dana Lance, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office

Native American women experience the highest rate of violence of any group in the United States.

Reflecting on that statistic, the Chickasaw Nation Office of Violence Prevention is observing Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

During the month, display booths with information about domestic violence facts, prevention and programs will be available at the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center.

The observance is part of a national effort to raise awareness and help prevent domestic violence.

Locally, organizers plan to wear purple on Wednesday, Oct. 6, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Day, and invite the public to participate.

One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime and an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

The cost of intimate partner abuse exceeds $5.8 billion each year $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health services, according to the NCAV.

For more information contact the Chickasaw Nation Office of Violence Prevention at (580) 272-5580 or visit the offices located at 231 Seabrook Road in Ada, Okla. in the Youth and Family Services building.