The Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board recently released its Annual Report 2021.
“The purpose of the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board is to prevent future domestic violence deaths by identifying gaps in the domestic violence prevention and protection system and proposing recommendations aimed at improving the coordinated response of the individuals, organizations, and agencies that combine the domestic violence prevention and protection system in Oklahoma.” The multidisciplinary board of 20 includes representatives from the Native Alliance Against Violence as well as a Native American survivor of domestic violence.
Findings included in the report:
- Domestic abuse offenses have seen an overall increasing trend since 2011.
- In 2019, 119 persons were killed due to domestic violence.
- There were Thirteen (13) juvenile homicide victims
- Domestic abuse crimes were reported in all 77 Oklahoma counites in 2020
- At least one (1) domestic violence related homicide occurred in 35 out of Oklahoma’s 77 counites in 2020, including Ottawa County
- Eighteen (18) American Indians/Native Americans were murdered due to domestic violence in 2019.
- Twenty (20) American Indians/Native Americans were identified as the perpetrators of domestic violence related homicides in 2019.
- Firearms have consistently remained the most prevalent cause of death in domestic violence homicide cases since the DVFRB began reviewing cases in 1998.
- Figures in the report are likely lower than the actual number of domestic abuse incidents in Oklahoma as they are based on police reports and victims of domestic abuse may not contact law enforcement for a myriad of reasons
Haven shares the hope of the review board, “this report will encourage and guide Oklahoma’s legislature, systems, agencies, organizations, communities, and individuals to continue developing and implementing practices and policies that strengthen our state’s comprehensive and coordinated response to those who continue suffering the effects of domestic violence.”
There is much work to do.
The full report: https://www.oag.ok.gov/victim-services
If you are able, please call or see the messaging links above:
Haven Office: 918-554-2836
Text Line: 918.533.3070
Crime Victim Advocate: 541.602.0616
Program Website: https://havenprogram.com/
Program Email: havenprogram@estoo.net
Facebook: HAVEN Tribal Program, Twitter: @ProgramHaven, Instagram: HAVENTRIBALProgram.
Our advocates are here to help!
