Oklahoma

Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Oklahoma's efforts to educate, prevent, and support survivors

Published

3 weeks ago

April 8, 2025

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.

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Oklahoma

House sends bill curtailing virtual school day use to Oklahoma governor

Published

13 hours ago

April 29, 2025

Press Room

House sends bill curtailing virtual school day use to Oklahoma governor

OKLAHOMA CITY — The state House on Tuesday sent a bill that would limit most public schools to two virtual days a year to the governor’s desk despite bipartisan opposition. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, Senate Bill 758 limits brick-and-mortar schools to 12 hours of virtual instruction as long as the state superintendent approves […]

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma DL Gracen Halton Looking to Continue Progression in 2025

Published

1 day ago

April 28, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma DL Gracen Halton Looking to Continue Progression in 2025

NORMAN — After his best college season yet, Gracen Halton returns to Oklahoma as one of the leaders on a veteran defensive line.

Halton, a 6-foot-2, 284-pound defensive tackle entering his senior year, played all of the Sooners’ 13 games in 2024 and started three of them.

With several other veterans in OU’s front seven, Halton’s primary goal for 2025 is simple: be a major factor in one of the Sooners’ most experienced position groups.

“It’s great to have that experience, you know what I’m saying?” Halton said during a post-practice media in the spring. “Guys that know what to do, those guys can coach up the younger guys so that when we’re not here, the younger guys can take it to another level.”

Halton’s production in his first three seasons at OU was linear.

As a true freshman in 2022, he played in 10 games, finishing the season with 10 total tackles, with tackle for loss. Halton played 11 games in 2023 — zero starts — and ended the season with 3.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry.

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And last year, Halton played a key role on the Sooners’ defensive line.

Halton finished the 2024 campaign with 30 tackles, six TFLs, five quarterback sacks, three hurries, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a safety. Halton earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors in the Sooners’ Week 2 win against Houston, logging two tackles for loss and the game-clinching safety.

Halton finished the 2024 season with a Pro Football Focus defensive grade of 75.4. That grade was second among OU interior defensive lineman who played more than 10 games, behind only David Stone (75.7).

Still, even after such a stellar season, Halton isn’t content. He used spring ball to improve both as a player and as a leader.

“I’ve been through it before,” Halton said. “So just taking it day by day, just really getting better at the things I need to. Knowing what I need to get better and just taking it and applying it on the field.”

Halton sees his run-stopping abilities as an area where he can get better. While Halton’s pass rush grade was 76.7 in 2024, his run defense grade was a bit lower at 71.3, fourth-best among Sooner defensive tackles.

“Just staying in those double teams,” Halton said. “Things that I watched film on myself from last year (in run defense). Things I feel like I need to get better at.”

OU’s defensive line is loaded with players who have played hundreds of snaps for the Sooners, including senior tackle Damonic Williams, senior defensive end R Mason Thomas, sophomore tackle Jayden Jackson and Stone, a sophomore. The Sooners also picked up former Florida State and Georgia defensive end Marvin Jones Jr. from the transfer portal.

In a defensive line group filled with talented, experienced players, cornerback Gentry Williams believes Halton will be a centerpiece again in 2025.

“Gracen Halton had an excellent season,” Williams said. “I think G-baby has done a really good job (in spring practice).”

Oklahoma also signed two defensive linemen — tackle Trent Wilson and defensive end Alex Shieldnight — in its 2025 recruiting class. 247Sports rated both Wilson and Shieldnight as 3-star prospects.

With an array of old and new talent up front for OU’s defense, it’s hard to predict what the Sooners’ defensive two-deep will look like. But it’s safe to assume Halton will be a key piece for OU’s d-line, no matter where he lines up.

“I feel very comfortable,” Halton said. “I feel like it came through last year like game four or five, getting comfortable in where I was playing. Now I’m just getting better at it. All the mistakes I made, just getting better at those.”

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