By Sonya Ray, staff writer

ALTUS--Community awareness was raised Monday afternoon when patrons came out to the first Silent Victims Walk held in Altus.

The walk was an effort to raise awareness to end domestic violence. The event was organized by the Jackson County Community Health Action Team and held at the Altus City Park.

"We did the walk because October is domestic violence awareness month," JCHAT volunteer Brandie O'Connor said. "We wanted to raise awareness."

A bulletin board designed by the ACMI House was on display at the event. The display contained information about domestic violence issues and was decorated with the signature purple ribbons that shows support for domestic violence victims.

"This is our first one in Altus," ACMI House Executive Director Irene Beltzer said. "We are looking to do it again next year."

Students from the Altus High school were able to come out and help show their concern for victims.

"We came out because it seems like a good cause," AHS student Kevin Tocknell said.

He along with other high school students were allowed to participated during their lunch hour. The event lasted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pamphlets, pedometers, bumper stickers and purple ribbons were handed out to support domestic violence victims.

Silhouettes of victims that had lost their lives to domestic violence were carried around by some of the volunteers of the event. The names of the victims were attached to their silhouette. Beltzer says she feels their is more to be done in raising awareness of domestic violence by the way of male victims.

"We haven't yet addressed domestic violence, when it happens to a man," Beltzer said. "There are shelters available for men and young men."

She says that not many male victims know that their is assistance available for them. There are counseling services available.

"They can receive help at the ACMI house, " Beltzer said. "We have 2-3 counselors that would be able to respond with counseling."

Beltzer has been with the ACMI house since August and has already had to respond to numerous rape cases and domestic abuse cases. She says that the center has been filled to its maximum capacity since she has been there.

In efforts to raise awareness, Mayor T.L. Gramling and Wing Commander Col Dewey Everhart II signed a proclamation Monday afternoon declaring the month of October to be Domestic Violence Prevention Month on the Altus Air Force Base and for the City of Altus.