If you or someone you love has a problem with anger or violence, for you and your family’s sake, get help.

Next month, October, is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In Oklahoma, that should be an important month because, unfortunately, the state ranks high among states in the per capita instances of domestic violence.

The Violence Policy Center released this past week the statistics regarding domestic violence and the numbers of women murdered by men. In the murders of women, Oklahoma ranks ninth, close to the position it has occupied the last five or so years.

Experts cite several reasons for the high rates of domestic violence and murder of women in the state: poverty, poor economy, male-dominated mentality, gun-friendly state, generational pressure and inadequate services for women caught in abusive situations.

Thankfully, in Muskogee, Women in Safe Home (WISH) assists families suffering from family violence. Women and children have a place to go if they are in an abusive situation.

Also, the state Legislature passed a bill this past year that allows increasing the penalty of a first-time domestic violence offense from a misdemeanor to a felony under special circumstances. Those include establishing a prior pattern of abuse, either by third-party witnesses or minor charges that display aggressive behavior.

Those are both proactive steps in reducing violence, but of course, they don’t beat getting help early to deal with anger and potential situations that might lead to domestic violence.

If you know you have a problem, seek help.