Oklahoma Has High Number Of Domestic Violence Cases, Report Says

Oklahoma ranks second in the nation for women being killed by men and second for domestic violence overall.

The new report from the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board says more than 100 people were killed because of domestic violence in each of the last four years.

The CEO of DVIS says the laws in the state need to change to better protect victims. For example, if you stab a stranger, you face a charge of assault with a deadly weapon and up to life in prison. If you stab your partner or spouse, it’s assault with a dangerous weapon and only up to ten years in prison.

"It's probably never been as dire as it is right now,” said Tracey Lyall, the CEO of DVIS.

Lyall says seeing the number of people killed because of domestic violence in Oklahoma each year is heartbreaking. Tulsa County ranks the highest in the state for domestic violence.

"It intersects with so many problems that we have as a state. I think we have to do better in all of those areas in order for it to impact the homicide rate,” said Lyall.

The Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board says the state averaged 114 victims of domestic violence homicides each year from 2019 to 2022. That’s up from 90 victims killed a year from 2011 to 2018.

"The laws certainly don't help enforce that our state is behind domestic violence victims. I mean, those laws need to be changed,” said Lyall.

The board recommends more funding for victim services like DVIS, changes to state law, and training for law enforcement and 911 dispatchers. Lyall says it’s been more than 20 years since there's been an increase in state funding for victims’ services, but demand for help is only rising.

"When we look at the domestic violence homicides, many of them are people that have never set foot in our doors, who have never come for services,” says Lyall.

Two senate bills have been introduced this legislative session, one that would make domestic strangulation an 85% crime and one that would create harsher punishments for people who violate a protective order. Lyall says more needs to be done to keep victims safe.

"We see the number of people who walk in the door here every day, and we work until we can see the last person who has come through the door."

DVIS says help is available 24 hours a day. If you are a victim of domestic violence or you know someone who is, you can call 918-743-5763.