October, National Domestic Violence Month, was a month highlighted by media coverage given to domestic violence as a result of the O.J. Simpson murder trial.

The goal of National Domestic Violence Month was to educate the community about domestic violence and how important it is for people to fight the crime.

Reva Lucy, YWCA Crisis Services director, said her organization made many strides during this year's observance because of the attention domestic violence gained in the media.

Lucy and the YWCA made 77 appearances at schools and on radio and television.

Media attention has been focused on the claims that Simpson abused Nicole Brown Simpson.

Lucy said she could not comment on whether the verdict in the
Simpson trial has had an effect on victims of domestic violence. However, Lucy said she suggests to YWCA workers that although they will lose some cases and win some cases, they should never give up.

Lucy said the rate of domestic violence in Oklahoma is too high.

"We're high," Lucy said, "but (the nation) is high everywhere."

Norman Police Lt. Dean Vassilakos said the rate of domestic violence in Norman is not higher than the national average. However, he said there are too many cases reported on a daily basis.

"Domestic violence cases are reported all day long," Vassilakos said, "It's a high-volume activity."

A study done by the U.S. Senate in 1992 showed that one out of five reported cases of aggravated assault in America occur in the home. It is believed that the unreported cases of domestic violence may be three times as many as the reported cases.

Ninety-five percent of all victims of domestic violence are women. The Senate's study showed that 75 percent of all women in the United States will be the victim of domestic violence sometime in their lives.

A survey done by the American Medical Association showed that
4 million women are victims of severe assaults by a boyfriend or husband each year.

Although women are affected more by domestic violence, Lucy said male victims should not be forgotten.

Vassilakos said victims of domestic violence should assess their situation immediately.

"(Victims) have to get away from the destructive individuals," Vassilakos said.

He said many victims will stay in the relationship because the assailant promises to no longer engage in violence.

"These promises won't do it," Vassilakos said. "It has to be an honest commitment."

Both Lucy and Vassilakos suggest that victims take advantage of services and hotlines such as the Women's Resource Center, 364-9424, or OU's Number NYNE Crisis Center, 325-6963.

Lucy is the director of the services at the YWCA. Her organization provide shelters and counseling for battered women and counseling for men.