Oklahoma Board Works To Lower Domestic Abuse Fatalities

Each year, a state board under the Oklahoma's Attorney General's office reviews cases of domestic violence which ended in a homicide.

In its most recent annual report, the number of total homicide victims related to domestic violence totaled 118 people. In 2012, it was 88.

The board's vice chair, Brandon Pasley, said the increase is concerning to everyone on the board.

"Sometimes a victim can do everything right, can check every box that you’re supposed to do in terms of safety and systems still fail," Pasley said.

As part of its task, the board makes recommendations to the legislature and the Governor. It bases those recommendations on what could have possibly changed the outcomes in previous cases.

In its 2022 report, those recommendations included:

1. Adding a representative for the Department of Corrections to the review board.
2. Training law enforcement on lethality assessment protocols.
3. Protecting children who witness domestic violence homicides.

Pasley said funding, lack of resources and a lack of enforcement can sometimes stand in the way of solutions.

He also said the board has studied similar cases like Thursday's quadruple homicide-suicide in Oklahoma City.

"We look at cases that involve family annihilators where the perpetrator takes out everybody, takes out the children, the adult victim, and then themselves," he said. "It’s really difficult to unsee those things.”

He partially attributes the increase in recent years to COVID-19, when more people were stuck at home with offenders.

"As always, our laws are only as good as their interpretation. Their enforcement. Their implementation," he said.

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What is Domestic Violence?

The Office on Violence Against Women describes Domestic Violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in a relationship used by a person to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic Violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and involves behaviors that threaten, hurt, isolate, manipulate, humiliate, or injure another person. Children exposed to domestic violence are at risk of developing social and physical problems or learning that violence is a normal way of life.

How does Oklahoma compare nationally in Domestic Violence?

The Domestic Violence Intervention Services said Oklahoma ranks first in the country for the most domestic violence cases. Oklahoma is third in domestic violence homicides. The Young Women's Christian Association reported over 43,000 domestic violence calls in Oklahoma in 2022, which resulted in almost 1,000 arrests.

For more information about Oklahomans impacted by Domestic Violence, click here.

What are some resources for Domestic Violence victims in Oklahoma?

The Oklahoma Domestic Violence hotline, (800) 522-SAFE (7233), and the 24-hour Safeline 1-800-522-SAFE (7233), provide assistance with safety planning, crisis intervention, emergency shelter and advocacy to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking. The Abuse Hotline 1-800-522-3511 and the Elder Abuse Hotline 1-800-522-3511 also provide resources for escaping abusive situations.

For the full list of Oklahoma Domestic Violence resources, click here.

How often do people experience Domestic Violence in the United States?

In the United States, more than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually. On average, domestic violence hotlines nationwide receive over 19,000 calls.

For more information from The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, click here.

What are some National resources for Domestic Violence?

The National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-7233 and the National Dating Abuse Helpline (866) 331-9474 for those in abusive situations or relationships. The Rape Abuse Incest National Network (800) 656-4673 also helps in cases of rape or incest.

The StrongHearts Native Helpline (844) 762-8483 helps culturally-specific helpline for Native Americans impacted by domestic, dating and sexual violence.

The National Child Abuse Hotline/Childhelp (800) 422-4453) is for any child who is being abused or neglected. The National Center for Elder Abuse 1-855-500-3537 will help with elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

For the full list of National Domestic Violence resources, click here.