Oklahoma
Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Oklahoma's efforts to educate, prevent, and support survivors
Q: What is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and why is it important?
A: April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time dedicated to educating communities and supporting survivors of sexual assault. It’s a month to raise awareness about prevention and resources available to survivors and to encourage societal change.
Q: How is the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) working to raise awareness?
A: The OSDH is focusing on educating the public about sexual violence and the role individuals can play in preventing it. They are also highlighting the availability of resources for survivors. Emily Nicholls, Violence Prevention Coordinator at OSDH, emphasizes that everyone can contribute to prevention efforts.
Q: What does the latest data say about the prevalence of sexual assault in Oklahoma?
A: According to the OSDH’s 2023 data, about 14.5% of Oklahomans have experienced sexual assault. The numbers are even more alarming for women, with 1 in 5 women reporting they’ve been assaulted at some point in their lifetime.
Q: What role does education play in preventing sexual violence?
A: Prevention begins early. Nicholls explains that teaching children about consent and personal boundaries is critical. She stresses that sexual violence is not just an individual issue but a societal problem that requires broad community efforts to address.
Q: What are some common misconceptions about sexual violence?
A: One common misconception is that sexual violence is a personal issue. In reality, it’s a widespread societal problem. By focusing on preventing sexual violence, we can also address related issues like youth violence, bullying, and teen dating violence, creating a safer environment for everyone.
Q: How can people access help if they are impacted by sexual violence or domestic abuse?
A: Nicholls encourages individuals impacted by sexual or domestic violence to call the Oklahoma Safeline, a 24/7 hotline that connects people to victim service programs. It’s one of the most direct ways to get help and find support in the community.
Q: What is the significance of federal funding in Oklahoma’s efforts?
A: Federal funding, such as the CDC grant for rape prevention and education, is helping the OSDH build safer environments and strengthen support systems for survivors. The grant also supports local agencies like DVIS in Tulsa, making a significant impact on both prevention and survivor support efforts.
Q: What key message does OSDH want the public to understand about sexual assault?
A: Nicholls stresses that sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of identity or income level. It’s important to understand that all survivors deserve support and respect, and the blame should never fall on them. A shift in mindset is needed to help prevent violence and support survivors effectively.
Q: How can Oklahomans get involved in these efforts?
A: The OSDH encourages people to connect with local programs that support survivors and work to prevent sexual violence. By getting involved in the community, individuals can make a real difference in reducing sexual violence in Oklahoma.
In the second SEC Availability Report of the week, released on Thursday, Oklahoma saw status upgrades for two of its top defenders.
Linebacker Kobie McKinzie and cornerback Gentry Williams, both of whom were questionable on Wednesday’s report, are now probable to play in the Sooners’ game against Tennessee.
McKinzie exited last week’s loss to Ole Miss after playing just 15 snaps. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables revealed after the defeat that McKinzie “tweaked his groin.”
Williams exited the first quarter of OU’s win against South Carolina and did not return. He missed the entirety of the Sooners’ loss to Ole Miss but appears to be on track to play in Knoxville.
Running backs Taylor Tatum and Jovantae Barnes and offensive lineman Logan Howland are all still listed as questionable, as they were on Wednesday.
Barnes suffered an injury during warmups against Texas and hasn’t played since. In four games in 2025, Barnes has rushed for only 45 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
Tatum has appeared in only one game for the Sooners, and he was a late addition to last week’s availability report.
Howland was on the injury report all week ahead of the Ole Miss game but was taken off in the final one, meaning he was available to play. The offensive tackle, however, did not appear against the Rebels.
Wide receiver Keontez Lewis and offensive lineman Derek Simmons are both doubtful to play against the Volunteers.
Lewis suffered a scary injury in the Sooners’ 44-0 win over Kent State but returned for the Texas game. He suffered a setback in that contest, though, and missed OU’s games against South Carolina and Ole Miss.
Simmons missed the Ole Miss game after suffering an injury against Texas but returning for South Carolina, and it appears less likely that he’ll play against the Volunteers.
Offensive linemen Jake Taylor, Jacob Sexton and Troy Everett are all ruled out for the Tennessee game. Everett is out for the remainder of the season, while Sexton hasn’t played since OU’s season opener against Illinois State. Taylor has not appeared in a game for the Sooners this year.
Another availability report will be released on Friday before a final report is released no later than 90 minutes until kickoff between the Sooners and Volunteers.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Neyland Stadium.
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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — If you have ever undergone a medical procedure, you know one of the scariest parts is not knowing how much you will have to pay.
That will no longer be the case for Oklahomans starting Saturday, November 1st.
Governor Kevin Stitt held a press conference Tuesday with other supporters of the new Hospital Price Transparency Law.
“It’s asking for transparency in pricing at hospitals, pretty common sense for consumers,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said.
Starting November 1st, Oklahoma hospitals must post prices for procedures, so patients know how much they are paying before the bill arrives.
“We should be able to know how much things cost and not be surprised by humongous medical bills,” Gov. Stitt said.
“This law protects consumers who say if they’ve been harmed by overcharges, they also have a private right of action to go after the hospital for way overcharging them beyond the prices they were to have paid,” Cynthia Fisher, Founder and Chairman for Patient Rights Advocate said.
Fisher says in their most recent report, only 12% of Oklahoma hospitals reviewed were fully complying with the federal hospital price transparency rule first implemented nearly five years ago.
“And what has happened in the shadows is there is wide price variation,” Fisher said. “One patient may pay with their plan $1,200, and another patient may be billed over $12,000 for that very same procedure.”
Supporters believe this law will create a free market system, and in turn, bring down prices.
“I think we’ll see prices fall and quality soar,” Dr. Keith Smith, Co-Founder of the Free Market Medical Association and Surgery Center of Oklahoma said.
The State Department of Health will make sure hospitals post prices.
We reached out to a couple of hospitals to see how they plan to roll this out.
Integris Health never got back with us, and OU Health said they would send over something Wednesday.
Gov. Stitt says there is one main goal behind this law.
“We’re going to put power back into the consumers hands, going to lower health care cost across the state of Oklahoma,” Gov. Stitt said.
You can find the price transparency tool here.
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