Reducing domestic violence deaths in Oklahoma.

              INTERIM STUDY REPORT
Human Services Committee
Rep. Pam Peterson, Chairperson
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Interim Study I.S. 11-101, Rep. Pam Peterson
October 24, 2011
Reducing domestic violence deaths in Oklahoma
Jeff Smith
Chair of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board (DVFRB)
District Attorney, District 16
Jeff.Smith@dac.state.ok.us
o The DVFRB has reviewed 341 of 1,007 domestic violence homicide incidents that
occurred from 1998 to 2010.
o 55% of all victims are female and 75% of intimate partner (IP) homicide perpetrators are
male.
o 58% of the homicides were committed with a firearm and 23% of firearm deaths are
committed by people who are federally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
o 33% are witnessed by children.
o There is evidence of prior domestic violence in 77% of IP cases.
o 49% of perpetrators made death threats against the victim prior to the homicide.
o The 2010 recommendations of the DVFRB are included in the attachments at the end of
this report.
Judge Richard Kirby, Associate Judge
Oklahoma County Juvenile Court
Richard.Kirby@oscn.net
o 29% of all deprived petitions in Oklahoma County in 2010-2011 included domestic
violence as an issue.
o DHS often refers victims and perpetrators of domestic violence to programs that are not
certified by the Attorney General’s Office.
o DHS assessments, findings and service plans reflect a lack of understanding of the
dynamics of domestic violence, safety risks, safety planning and referral for appropriate
services. The service plans need to be truly individualized.
o Need mandatory training for workers and supervisors with respect to domestic violence
and the role of child welfare in responding to domestic violence cases.
o Workers need to be able to indentify those victims that can demonstrate that they are
truly ready to take appropriate steps to protect their children.
o Need to involve people with domestic violence expertise on Post-Adjudication Review
Boards.
o Could create Level 4 child welfare specialist positions for highly experienced workers
who could provide consultation on tough cases involving domestic violence.
Candace Blalock
Retired District Judge
o Brings a rural perspective to the discussion.
o There is a serious lack of domestic violence services in certain areas of the state.
o We should require judges with domestic violence docket responsibility to have the
training that the juvenile judges receive.