DVIS Using Community Events To Provide Resources To Those Experiencing Domestic Violence

A Tulsa theater is helping to bring awareness to domestic violence with its showing of “Waitress” the musical. 

Theater Tulsa asked Domestic Violence Intervention services to set up a table outside of the auditorium to provide resources for those who may be experiencing domestic violence.

The Broadway show "Waitress" made its way to town - with a weekend of performances by Theater Tulsa. The musical depicts the story of a woman in an abusive relationship with her husband. Throughout the story, she learns she can stand up for herself - and that's something DVIS wants people to realize they can do too.

DVIS says stories similar to this one happen across the state.

"Oklahoma is actually the second in the nation for domestic violence right now, and we're second in the nation for women murdered by men," said Laurel Williamson with DVIS. 

One show attendee, Lisa Lahmeyer, is a survivor of an abusive relationship.

"It really hit home because I am a survivor of a 2-year relationship that got verbally and then physically abusive, and it caught me off guard how impactful the scenes in the show were to me," Lahmeyer said. 

Lahmeyer says she can relate to the musical.

"There's a point where she says I'm done and the whole audience cheered and I was like yes," she said. "I remember that feeling when I got out and I moved home." 

Guests and performers both said having resources from DVIS available during the show could help people get the help they need.

"So many people are coming from these small communities where they do not have these resources available to them on a day-to-day basis, and being able to come to a place and have this available to them is so incredibly important," said lead performer MaKayla Baxter. 

DVIS leaders said using events like these to make people aware of their services is necessary and can help start the conversation about recovery. 

"Anytime art has the courage to face a complicated situation and really grapple with it, we don't want people to shy away from that, that's the time to really dig in," Williamson said. 

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence in their relationships, you can call the DVIS helpline at 918-743-5763. You can also visit their main campus at 3124 E Apache St, Tulsa, OK 74110.