County Leaders Call for Action Against Domestic Violence

Monday, September 29, 2025 - The Sequoyah County Board of Commissioners has declared October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Sequoyah County. The proclamation was signed during the commissioners’ regular weekly meeting on Monday and was presented by Sara Ridinger, Victim Service Specialist with the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office.

Ridinger emphasized the urgency of addressing domestic violence in Oklahoma, noting that the state now ranks number one in the nation for domestic violence. She also highlighted that homicides related to domestic violence in Oklahoma have increased by approximately 16% in the last two years.

Ridinger stated, “Over half of all women in the state of Oklahoma will be victims of domestic violence in their lifetimes, and just under half of all men, about 46%, will experience the same. We are in the trenches every day working on this issue. In Sequoyah County, we are fortunate to have strong partnerships with community advocates and the District Attorney’s Office, which focus on victim-centered approaches and holding offenders accountable. But that is not the reality across the entire state.”

Ridinger also issued a call to action, urging community members to have open conversations with friends, family, and especially children about domestic violence. “I know we want to shelter our kids from this kind of thing, especially if this is not something they see in their household, but we’re not preparing them for the world we’re sending them out into, where domestic violence is incredibly prevalent,” Ridinger added.

The proclamation serves as both recognition of the issue and a reminder of the need for ongoing community involvement in prevention and support efforts.

Lindsie Dyer, Staff Writer

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