Oklahoma City—The Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board has released its annual report, revealing a significant increase in domestic violence homicides in the state for 2023. The report highlights a 16 percent rise from the previous year, with a total of 122 victims recorded. This marks the highest number of domestic violence-related deaths since data collection began in 2002.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond commented on the concerning trend: “Tragically, domestic violence deaths have been on the rise in Oklahoma, especially across the last five years. We must continue strengthening our statewide efforts to hold abusers accountable and to provide protection and support for victims in order to turn the page on this epidemic.”
From 2019 to 2023, Oklahoma averaged 115 domestic violence homicide victims annually, an increase from an average of 90 between 2014 and 2018. In particular, intimate partner homicides reached their highest level ever with women comprising 82 percent of these victims. The board also reported that each year, approximately 59 children witness a family member's violent death due to domestic violence.
To address these issues, the board has put forth several recommendations for legislative action. These include establishing a fund for trauma-informed services aimed at children and caregivers affected by family violence-related homicide and near-fatal intimate partner violence; enacting a hearsay exception specific to domestic violence cases; strengthening Victim Protection Order laws; and amending statutes to eliminate discrepancies related to domestic violence crimes.
Legislative bills currently under consideration reflect these recommendations:
- HB 1591 by Rep. John George and Sen. Darrell Weaver seeks stricter sentencing requirements for certain convictions.
- SB 541 by Sen. Todd Gollihare and Rep. Nicole Miller proposes allowing charges when any deadly weapon is present.
- SB 813 by Sen. Ally Seifried and Rep. Stan May aims at ensuring protective orders are promptly filed.
- SB 607 by Sen. Brent Howard and Rep. John George allows admissibility of statements related to domestic abuse in various hearings.
- HB 1413 by Rep. Josh West and Sen. Bill Coleman would make certain pleas constitute convictions relevant for sentencing purposes.
The board recommends allocating $850,000 towards supporting children exposed to such traumatic events.