Oklahoma Ranked Third in the Nation for Women Killed by Men in Single Victim, Single Offender Homicides

A new report from the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board finds disturbing statistics for the number of fatalities that occurred in 2012.

The Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, overseen by Attorney General Scott Pruitt, released its 2013 annual report in April 2014, which tracks and catalogs homicides that meet the statutory definition of domestic violence: victims killed by partners and ex-partners; family members killed by family members; children killed by an intimate partner or other family member; bystanders killed by intimate partner perpetrators; roommates killed by roommates; and suicide deaths of intimate partner perpetrators.

The 2013 report concluded that Oklahoma ranked third in the nation in 2012 for the number of women killed by men as a result of domestic violence. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control's National Violence Against Women Survey found that the lifetime prevalence of rape, physical violence, and/or stalking toward women by an intimate partner to be greater in Oklahoma than in any other state.

"Domestic violence is a serious crime that affects thousands of Oklahoma families every year," says Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt. "We must continue to raise awareness of the problem and find new ways to prevent and end the cycle of violence."

Law enforcement in 2012 responded to 2,354 incidents of domestic abuse-related assaults. Of these, 109 women, men and children lost their lives. Of the 109 people who died, 88 were identified as homicide victims and 21 were identified as homicide perpetrators who died as a result of suicide or law enforcement/bystander intervention.

The youngest victim, killed by his father, was two months old. The oldest victim, killed by her nephew, was 89 years old. Three victims were not yet born and died as a result of their mother's death. The average age of victims was 34.

Of the 88 homicide victims, 40 were killed by domestic violence abusers. The youngest intimate partner victim, killed by her boyfriend, was 15. The oldest intimate partner victim, killed by his wife, was 89. Three intimate partner victims were pregnant at the time of their deaths.

"These statistics reinforce the reason DaySpring Villa is here and committed to ending the cycle of violence one life at a time," says DSV Executive Director Wilma Lively. "Domestic violence isn't a subject people want to openly discuss. It's an ugly, often hidden reality that many turn a blind eye to, but it's critically important that we face the facts, give domestic violence a voice, and educate men, women and children about it."

As a shelter for domestic violence and human sex trafficking survivors, DaySpring Villa continues to experience record-breaking capacity levels of women and their children who've made the courageous decision to leave or escape their abusers or captors.

DaySpring Villa is the first faith-based, certified shelter that works with women to develop individual plans that allow them to live independently and self-sufficiently.

"There is no temporary fix when it comes to a woman who has been battered and abused or coerced into sexual slavery," Lively says. "We are dedicated to helping these women re-discover the person God meant them to be. It might take three months, it might take a year, but we don't put time limits on women who are actively working to transform their lives, whether that is learning how to drive, finding a job and housing, or finishing their education."

DaySpring Villa is a 501(c)(3) organization that receives no government or United Way funding. Our ability to provide a safe, protective shelter, basic needs, and life-changing services to women and their children relies on financial gifts from caring individuals, companies, foundations and churches of every denomination.