Eastern’s Phi Beta Lambda Welcomes Guest Speaker on Campus Violence Prevention
(Press Release 11-19-04)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

By Chris Mervyn, Phi Beta Lambda Reporter

Eastern Oklahoma State’s business club, Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), recently welcomed Becky Bryant to speak at their weekly meeting. Bryant is the Campus Violence Prevention Project Counselor for Eastern Oklahoma State College as part of a two–year grant. Bryant informed students and faculty of the dangers of traditional and non-traditional forms of violence on campus and in the community.

She shared several startling statistics.
• Oklahoma ranks 11th nationally for the number of females murdered by males in single victim/offender homicides.
• Most assaulted women are assaulted by people they know.
• Violence crosses all boundaries. Victims are of every age, race, religion, ethnicity, social class, married, and single.

Fliers were distributed identifying several forms of violence, including stalking, bullying, verbal abuse, domestic abuse, relationship violence, rape, and sexual assault. Bryant reported statistics on violent offenses.

Bryant explained how to get help if faced with any form of violence. She emphasized that talking to someone was an important first step—whether an advisor, instructor, or just someone close that you can trust. She assured members that statistics show that relationship abuse doesn’t normally get better, but rather many times the results are deadly.

While mainly focused on students at Eastern, the Violence Prevention Project includes community outreach programs and is available to non-students as well. For more information about this project, contact Becky Bryant at 918-465-2361 ext. 309.

Future Business Leaders of America–Phi Beta Lambda, Inc., is a national student vocational education association that prepares students for careers in business and business education. Membership is over 260,000 in 11,000 chapters across the United States and abroad. Future Business Leaders of America is the high school division; Phi Beta Lambda is the collegiate division.

Caption Information:

Eastern Oklahoma State College Phi Beta Lambda President Lindy Morgan, right, presented a certificate of appreciation Friday to Violence Prevention Project Counselor Becky Bryant following a presentation to the Wilburton campus club.