What is abuse?
According to the Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute (LII), “abuse is an action that intentionally causes harm or injures another person. This can refer to physical abuse, psychological abuse, mental abuse, or child abuse” (Wex Definitions Team, Reviewed Oct., 2024).
- Physical abuse: Physical abuse refers to a violent behavior by one person towards another that results in substantial bodily injury… physical abuse may include but is not limited to: “slapping, hitting, kicking, biting, choking, smothering, shoving, dragging, throwing, punching, shaking, burning, cutting or the use of corporal punishment.” Physical abuse does not include reasonable emergency interventions necessary to protect the safety of any person.
- Emotional abuse: Emotional abuse is the “intentional infliction of distress, anguish or intimidation through non-physical acts.” Mental and emotional abuse can also include coercion, harassment or isolation of an individual.
- Child abuse: Child abuse is defined by state and federal law. Under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), child abuse refers to “any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caregiver that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, or an act or failure to act that presents an imminent risk of serious harm. All Oklahomans, especially school officials, counselors, and other officials working with children, are mandated reporters.
What is “mandated reporting”?
Mandatory reporting laws establish a legally enforceable duty for those who have contact with vulnerable populations to report to state and local authorities when mistreatment or abuse of those populations is suspected or confirmed.
Who is a mandated reporter?
YOU are a mandated reporter. State law requires every Oklahoman to report SUSPECTED child abuse or neglect. Failure to report can lead to jail time and could also negatively impact your counseling license, including removing your license all together.
What is domestic violence or abuse?
Domestic abuse, for the purposes of getting a protective order, is when a family or household member, or someone you have had a dating relationship with: physically harms you or threatens you with immediate physical harm.
- You can also get a protective order if a family or household member, or dating partner has harassed you. (1 22 O.S. § 60.1(1))
Here to Help
There are several resources available to help victims of abuse.
Domestic Violence Apps to Help Victims of Abuse
Victims Voice Recording App
Progressive Web App that can be installed on any device and uses multi-layer privacy and security built to meet HIPAA, VAWA, VOCA, and FVPSA regulations allowing documentation to be legally admissible in court. The app utilizes image uploads to corroborate documented abuse and related facts and offers secure communication to protect the user and keep their identity anonymous.
*Yearly cost for the app is $39.95.
eBodyGuard App
Personal evidence, safety, and wellness app. Safety phrase voice-activated feature that begins recording a 911 call before it is connected, gives the operator your GPS location (within feet), and notifies in-app emergency contacts. The app audio records the first 5 minutes of the scene before law enforcement arrives with optional body cam recording.
Aspire News App
Voted as one of the two “best apps for domestic violence prevention” in 2021. The Aspire News App is a potentially life-saving app that allows victims of abuse to call for help at the touch of a button. The Help section of the app contains resources for victims of domestic violence.
Please Note: This app does not serve as a replacement for emergency services – in any situation where you feel that you may be at risk, please dial 911 or your local emergency number.
Nonprofit Organizations
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Provides a 24/7 national hotline and online support services to victims of domestic violence and abuse in over 200 languages through interpretation services.
*The hotline is experiencing a high volume of calls at this time. If you are in need of immediate services call 911 or search their GET HELP section for a list of local providers and resources.
24/7 Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Text: BEGIN to 88788
Live Chat: https://www.thehotline.org/#
Website: https://www.thehotline.org/
Community Crisis Center of Northeast Oklahoma
Domestic Violence Shelter and advocacy centers that provide free, confidential services for adult victims in northeastern Oklahoma. Services support those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking by enhancing safety, healing, and education. Four Walk-In Advocacy Centers in Northeast Oklahoma:
Addresses & Hours:
Miami
123 B Street Southeast
Miami, OK 74354
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm
Grove
3651 US Hwy 59
Grove, OK 74344
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm
Vinita
128 S Wilson
Vinita, OK 74301
Monday – Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Jay
454 Krause Street
Jay, OK 74346
Monday – Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Phone:
24/7 Hotline: 1-800-400-0833
Live Chat: https://getmeout.org/
Website: https://getmeout.org/
Domestic Violence Intervention Services
The only nonprofit agency in Tulsa and the surrounding communities to provide comprehensive intervention and prevention services to individuals and families affected by domestic and sexual violence.
DVIS Administrative and Counseling Office
3124 E. Apache St.
Tulsa, OK 74110
Phone: 918.743.5763
DVIS Legal Services (inside the Family Safety Center)
600 Civic Center, Main Level
Tulsa, OK 74105
Phone: 918.742.7480
DVIS Sapulpa (serving Creek County)
620 South Linden
Sapulpa, OK 74066
Phone: 918.224.9290
Phone: 24 Hour Information and Crisis Hotline: 918.7HELP.ME (918.743.5763)
Texting services: Text SAFE to 207-777 to communicate with a DVIS advocate daily between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 a.m.
*The emergency shelter and transitional living apartment complex are at confidential locations.
Family Crisis Center, Inc.
Emergency shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking situations. Serving Coal, Pontotoc, Garvin, and McClain counties and located in Ada, Oklahoma.
Address: 605 E. 12th St.
Ada, OK 74820
24-Hour Hotline: 580-436-3504
Office Phone: 580-436-6648
Website: fccada.wixsite.com/adafamilycrisis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familycrisiscenterada/
Latino Community Development Agency: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program (Proyecto Cambio)
Intimate Partner Violence/Sexual Violence Prevention – A program directed at reducing domestic violence and sexual assault through IPV/SV prevention case management. Target population: Spanish speaking victims of intimate partner violence, sexual Assault, and stalking.
Address: 420 SW 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73109
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm
Phone Number(s): (405) 236-0701
Website(s): www.lcdaok.com
Email(s): [email protected]
Native Alliance Against Violence
Oklahoma’s only tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalition. The NAAV is not a direct service provider but serves Oklahoma’s federally recognized tribes and their tribal domestic violence and sexual assault programs.
Address: PO Box 5507
Norman, OK 73070
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 405-217-0212 | Fax: 405-754-2483
Northwest Domestic Crisis Center
NWDCS, Inc provides confidential support for victims including an emergency shelter, non-residential counseling services, and Domestic Violence education and advocacy. Services are available in different languages including a 24 hour hotline, and safety planning.
Offices in 5 locations in Western Oklahoma
Woodward – Main Office
1024 22nd Street
Woodward, OK 73801
Executive Director: Paul Fockler
Phone: (580) 256-1215
24 Hour Hotline Available: 1.888.256.1215
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am -5:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am- Noon
Guymon
406 S. Main Street
Guymon, OK 73942
Coordinator: Matthew Crook
Phone: (580) 338-2780
Email: [email protected]
Alva
1330 Oklahoma Blvd.
Alva, OK 73717
Coordinator: Adrienne Davis
Phone: (580) 327-6648
Email: [email protected]
Shattuck
905 S. Main St.
Shattuck, OK 73858
Advocate: Glenna Catoe
Phone: (580) 377-8302
Email: [email protected]
Buffalo
818 N. Hoy
Buffalo, OK 73834
Advocate: Kara Bond
Phone: (580) 377-8301
Email: [email protected]
Seiling
102 E Gary England Ave.
Seiling, OK 73663
Advocate: Lauren Replogle
Phone: (580) 377-8369
Email: [email protected]
Palomar
Partners with dozens of community agencies in the OKC area to provide wraparound services to victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, stalking, elder abuse, and human trafficking.
Address: 1140 N Hudson Ave.
OKC, OK 73103
24/7 Call Line: 1-800-522-SAFE
Call Line: (405) 552-1010 (During business hours)
Text Line: (405) 355-3556 (During business hours)
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://palomarokc.org
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 am-5:00pm, Tuesday: 8:00am-7:00pm
*Clients must arrive before 4:00 pm to receive services
The Family Shelter of Southern Oklahoma
The Family Shelter of Southern Oklahoma provides free and confidential services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.
Address: The Family Shelter of Southern Oklahoma
402 Pawnee St NW, Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401, United States
Phone Number(s): 24 hours, 7 days a week crisis line: 1-580-226-6424
Admin Office: 1-580-226-3750
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 05:00 pm
Website: https://familyshelterofsouthernok.net/
The Spring
Provides advocacy and a safe escape, and ongoing Christ-like care for those who have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and stalking. The Spring offers a safe home and supportive services to assist victims and their children out of abusive relationships and situations.
Offices in 5 locations in Western Oklahoma
Address: The Spring
P.O. Box 1588
Sand Springs, OK 74063
Phone: 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 918-245-4075
Business Line: (918) 245-3995
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.thespringok.org/
Women’s Resource Center: Domestic Violence Shelter
The only domestic nonprofit in Cleveland County certified by the Office of the Attorney General to provide comprehensive domestic and sexual violence crisis intervention for victims and support services for survivors. WRC also provides prevention education and community services such as mobile and court advocacy, counseling, groups, and training.
Address: 222 East Eufala
Norman, OK 73069
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm, 24 hour emergency shelter
Phone Number(s): 24hr Crisis Line: (405) 701-5660
Main Phone: Office: (405) 364-9424
Other Domestic Violence Crisis Line: (405) 701-5540
OtherWRC Domestic Violence Shelter: (405) 701-5497
Website: https://wrcnormanok.org/
Email(s): [email protected] ; [email protected]