Domestic violence homicide in Oklahoma

              DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
HOMICIDE IN OKLAHOMA
A DECADE OF REVIEW
2001—2011
A Report Of the
Oklahoma domestic
violence
fatality review Board
Cimarron Texas Beaver Harper
Ellis
Roger Mills
Beckham
Woodward
Woods Alfalfa
Major
Dewey
Custer
Washita
Greer Kiowa
Blaine
Caddo
Grant
Garfield
Kingfisher
Kay
Noble
Payne
Logan
Canadian Oklahoma
Cleveland
Grady
Osage
Creek
Lincoln
Jackson
Tillman
Comanche
Cotton
Stephens
Jefferson
Garvin
Carter
Murray
Love
Pontotoc
Johnston
Coal
Atoka
Bryan
Pittsburg
McIntosh
Pushmataha
Choctaw
McCurtain
LeFlore
Latimer
Haskell
Sequoyah
Muskogee
Tulsa
Wagoner
Cherokee
Adair
Ottawa Washington
Rogers
Nowata Craig
Mayes
Marshall
Harmon
Delaware
Okmulgee
Seminole
2
7
1
13
9
2
21
19
26
42
24
4
3
1
8
4
11
11
4 20
4
2
1
7
219 11
3
6
10
9
12
14
3
22
17
16
14
6
9
10
224 3 11
2
2
22
1
7
23
17
2
1
5
8
8
22
1 4
1
9
5
3
4
6
1
1
13
10
7 McClain
Pawnee
9
Hughes
Okfuskee
Pottawatomie
2001-2011: A Decade of Review
J uly 1, 2011 marked the 10-
year anniversary of the
creation of the Oklahoma
Domestic Violence Fatality Review
Board. In that time, 52 board
members and six staff have reviewed
341 cases. Numbers alone cannot do
justice to the tales of human tragedy
reviewed by the Board nor the lessons
learned as a result. In 10 years of
case review, the Board has seen and
heard countless stories of victims
who have suffered ongoing abuse in
silence as well as those who told
everyone from their sister to the
utility clerk to police officers about
the ongoing violence they were
enduring. The Board has reviewed
cases of victims who did everything
the system required to protect
themselves, from filing for orders of
protection, leaving their abuser and
contacting the police, to victims who
never had the opportunity to truly
acknowledge or even realize the
extreme danger in which they lived
until it was too late. The Board has
reviewed systems that responded in a
model of best practices and systems
whose response only further
endangered the victims with whom
they were working. As a result of the
information culled from 10 years’
worth of cases, the Board has learned
many valuable lessons, made many
p r a c t i c a l r e c omme n d a t i o n s ,
commended system players and
questioned system action or lack
thereof. As a result, the Board has
seen systems become more aware and
responsive to the needs of victims.
The Board has been a driving force
behind the implementation of laws
that improve the ability of victims
and the system to protect and better
collaborate at all levels across the
state. But even with all of the
improvements and achievements,
2001-2011: A Decade
of Review
2
Findings from All
Identified Domestic
Violence Homicides
4
Findings from
Reviewed Domestic
Violence Homicides
5
Recommendations to
Improve System
Response to Domestic
Violence and Prevent
Homicide
8
Domestic Violence in
Oklahoma: A History
10
2001—2011: A
Review of Past
Recommendations
and
Accomplishments
18
Maps 20
Membership 23
Acknowledgments 22
Inside this report:
Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality
Review Board
Annual Report
Cover: The highlighted counties and numbers represent the 1,059 men, women, and children who
died as a result of domestic violence homicide in Oklahoma from 1998 through 2010. as compiled by
the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board.
Annual Report Page 3
Oklahoma has yet to move out of the top 20 in the
number of women murdered by men. Our homicide
numbers have fluctuated year to year, but even when
there is a decrease in intimate partner homicides,
there is an increase in family homicides. If the
mission of the Board is to reduce deaths, then there
is still much work to be done.
Findings from the DVFRB show that victims
are accessing the systems, but there are still systems
left to tackle. Victims consistently have contact with
law enforcement, the criminal justice system, social
services, mental health and medical services, but far
too often they do not or will not report the violence
in their lives. Findings also show that, except for law
enforcement, most providers do not consistently
address the domestic violence issues the victim is
experiencing. Many of these providers simply do not
screen for the violence or ask the correct questions,
and therefore never fully realize the plight of the
victim before them. Others may be aware of the
violence, but then either do nothing with the
2001-2011: A Decade of Review
information or make ineffective referrals due to their
lack of awareness of their community resources that
handle appropriate referrals.
The most vexing issue that the Board is
working to address is that one-third of all homicides
are witnessed by a child and yet, there is no system
in place to help them. The Board is cognizant of the
importance of trauma services and support to these
children. They have reviewed at least one case in
which the perpetrator witnessed his own mother kill
her abuser during his childhood, and then grew up to
abuse and ultimately kill his own wife. If we are to
reduce deaths, then surely prevention must be part of
the plan. Intervention and correction are too late if
the next generation already has been exposed and
left without the tools to understand and cope.
Oklahoma needs to make sure witnesses to violence
have the opportunity for appropriate care and ser-vices.
If not just for their well-being, then for the
future of Oklahoma.
F rom 1998 to 2010, 1,000 domestic violence homicide cases have been identified by the DVFRB,
representing the death of 1,059 victims. The death toll rises to 1,231 when you count the death of
perpetrators related to the death event, either by suicide or law enforcement intervention. While not all of
those cases have been reviewed either by staff or by the full DVFRB, staff members code each case so
information is available to show some general overall findings from all cases. Firearms represent 52% of the
deaths on average, followed by blunt force trauma (21%), cutting/piercing (14%), strangulation (4%),
asphyxiation (2%), abusive
head trauma (2%), and all
other causes of death (6%).
Figure 1 highlights the
cause of death for each
year. Intimate partner
(IPV) homicides represent
44% of all of the homicides
over the 13-year period for
which the DVFRB has data.
Family member homicides
are the largest group at
4 5%, f o l l owe d b y
triangular (7%) homicides
(i.e. a woman’s ex-boyfriend
kills her new
boyfriend or vice versa),
roommates represent 2% of
the perpetrators in domestic
violence homicides and
Good Samaritans (non-involved
people who
intervene in a domestic
violence altercation on
behalf of the victim) are the
victim in 2% of the
d ome s t i c v i o l e n c e
homicides reviewed by the
DVFRB. Figure 2 details
the type of death for each
year. Furthermore, 15%
(145) of all homicide
incidents were homicide-suicides,
resulting in the
deaths of 172 victims and
145 perpetrators. Eighty-eight
percent (128) of
homicide-suicides are
committed with a firearm.
Findings from All Identified Domestic Violence Homicides
Page 4 Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
Figure 1. Victims' Cause of Death
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
% Killed
Firearm Blunt Force Trauma Cut/Pierce
Strangulation All Other Causes of Death
Figure 2. Type of DV Homicide
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
% Killed by Type Family Good Samaratin Intimate Partner Roommate Triangle
A s of January 2011,
the DVFRB had
reviewed 341 of
1,000 domestic violence
homicide incidents that
occurred from 1998 to
2010. The 341 homicide
incidents included 372
victims and 378
perpetrators. The findings
reported below provide
the basis for the Board’s
annual recommendations.
Table 1 provides demographic characteristics of the victims and perpetrators. The average age of victims was
33 years of age and the average age of perpetrators of domestic violence homicides was 37 years of age. The
youngest victim was less than a day old; the eldest 91. The majority of victims were white (69%), followed by
Black (21%) Native American (9%), and Asian/Pacific Islander (1%). Five percent of victims were of
Hispanic or Latino origin. The youngest perpetrator was 13 years of age; the eldest was 89 years of age. The
majority of perpetrators were white (68%), followed by Black (23%), Native American (9%) and Asian (1%).
Five percent of perpetrators were
of Hispanic or Latino origin.
Overall, the majority of
homicides were homogeneous;
only 39 (12%) were interracial
homicides.
Fifty-two percent of all
reviewed cases were intimate
partner violence homicides
(Figure 3). In 55% of the cases,
the perpetrator and victim were
cohabitating. The average
relationship length between the
victim and perpetrator was 9.7
years. In 45% of the IPV cases
(N=197) the victim was in the
process of leaving the
perpetrator.
Of the homicides
committed by intimate partners,
39% of the victims had children
with the perpetrator and 44% had
children with a former partner.
Findings from Reviewed Domestic Violence Homicides
Annual Report Page 5
Table 1. Characteristics
Victims Perpetrators
Female
(N=205)
Male
(N=168)
Female
(N=74)
Male
(N=267)
Age (average, in years) 33.7 32.3 37.1 36.9
Race
White 148 72% 109 65% 48 65% 182 68%
Black 39 19% 40 24% 17 23% 59 22%
American Indian 16 8% 18 11% 9 12% 21 8%
Asian 2 1% 1 1% 2 1%
Of Hispanic or Latino
Origin 10 5% 9 5% 3 4% 14 5%
Red Flags
The DVFRB also tracks the “red flags” of lethality that have been identified through research in intimate
partner relationships. In 49% of the IPV cases the perpetrator had made death threats against the victim; the
victim had made death threats against the perpetrator in only 10% of the cases. Morbid jealously (“If I can’t
have you, no one can”) appeared in the behavior and words of 43% of the perpetrators prior to the death event.
More than one-quarter (27%) of the perpetrators of intimate partner homicide had attempted or threatened
suicide prior to the death event. The percentage of perpetrators threatening or attempting suicide rises to one-third
(33%) in intimate partner homicides that resulted in the perpetrator committing suicide after killing his/
her partner. In 26% of the homes where the intimate partners had children, there was evidence of child abuse
as well. In more than one-quarter (26%) of intimate partner homicides the perpetrator had been violent toward
the victim in a public setting where others witnessed the violence. Finally, in 15% of the intimate partner
homicides the perpetrator told somebody besides the victim that they were going to kill the victim.
Witnesses
There were witnesses in 58% of the cases reviewed. Adults witnessed the homicide in 47% of the incidents.
The number of adult witnesses ranged from one to 18 in any of the cases. Children witnessed 33% of the
slayings. In cases with child witnesses, the number of witnesses ranged from one to 30 children.
Firearms
Firearms were used in 58% of the reviewed homicides. The majority of all of the homicides occurred at the
victim’s residence (62%), most often in bedrooms (30%) or living rooms (22%).
Prior Convictions
Eighty-one percent of victims and 61% of perpetrators did not have a prior conviction record, while 76% of
victims and 52% of perpetrators had never been arrested before. Of those with prior conviction records, the
average number of convictions was three for victims; and four for perpetrators. Five percent of perpetrators
had a prior conviction for a domestic violence offense.
Protective Orders & Stalking
Orders of Protection (PO) had been utilized in 19% of the reviewed cases. In more than two-thirds (20/30) of
the cases where a protective order was active at the time of the homicide, the defendant had violated the PO
prior to the homicide. The average number of violations was 2.92 violations per order. Stalking behavior by
the perpetrator was documented in 12% of all cases, and 20% of IPV cases.
Findings from Reviewed Domestic Violence Homicides
Page 6 Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
Law Enforcement
Law enforcement had responded to previous
domestic disturbances in at least 28% of the
cases; with an average number 2.5
documented responses per case. (This number
is likely much higher since it only counts
documented responses. If an officer re-sponded,
but did not complete a report, it is
unaccounted for in this number.)
Others Aware of Domestic
Violence
In 61% of the reviewed cases, other people
were aware that the violence was occurring.
In 55% of those cases, more than one person
or entity was aware of the violence. The top
four groups who knew the violence was
occurring included family members (62%),
friends (50%), law enforcement (35%), and
VPO/family court (23%). Interestingly, only
2% of victims were documented as having
contact with domestic violence advocacy
services.
Prosecution
Charges were filed in 68% of the cases and convictions were attained in 88% of those cases. Eleven
(5%) were acquitted of the charges (although they admitted to involvement in the events causing the death);
nine (4%) were dismissed before conviction; three (1%) are pending warrant; three (1%) died before the
completion of prosecution; and three (1%) were found not guilty by reason of insanity. It took an average of
one year and three months to complete each case from the date of death to conviction, with a range of 36 days
to 8 years and 5 months.
Convictions
Of those convicted, 80% were sentenced to prison; 12% received a split prison and probation sentence; 2%
received probation only; 5% were ordered into OJA custody; 1% were sentenced to county jail. The average
sentence is 21.4 years, not including those sentenced to life, life without parole or death. Sentences ranged
from 8 months to 91 years. Fifty-one were sentenced to life in prison; 46 were sentenced to life without
parole; and six were sentenced to death.
Findings from Reviewed Domestic Violence Homicides
Annual Report Page 7
Made death threats
Morbidly Jealous
Threatened/attempted suicide
Publicly violent
Told other(s) plan to kill
49%
43%
27%
26%
15%
10% 12%
0% 7% 10%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Figure 4. Lethality "Red Flags"
Victim Perpetrator
Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
 Fully fund legislated mandates of the DVFRB with state appropriations.
 Work with other organizations/agencies to see what systemic changes could be implemented without
legislation.
Courts
 Mandate continuing domestic violence training for all judges, at a minimum, judges who might ever
preside over a domestic violence or family court. The training should include, at a minimum, the
importance of lethality assessment, safety for victims and children, and the significance of protective
orders.
 Train all family law attorneys and the family court on domestic violence issues, including lethality,
post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health.
Department of Corrections
 Train Parole and Probation (P&P) officers on usage of domestic violence danger assessment tools and
protocols to assess referral needs for perpetrators and their victims.
 Document and report all incidents of domestic violence reported to probation and parole officers.
Department of Human Services
 Establish policies and protocols to effectively assess and respond to domestic violence in the home.
 Strictly follow the joint response protocol for responding to children on a homicide scene established
for the Department of Human Services and all law enforcement agencies.
District Attorneys
 Modify Oklahoma statute to make second and subsequent violation of an Order of Protection a felony.
 Increase the penalty range for Domestic Assault & Battery –After Former Felony Conviction.
Domestic Violence Advocates
 Make connections for victims when there is not space available in a domestic violence program. Do
not just pass out numbers to victims when the program does not have space.
 Research new venues for providing effective public awareness of resources available (i.e., SAFELINE
number) for those who witness domestic violence or stalking, but are unsure who to report to or how to
help the victim.
Education
 Mandate healthy relationship education in intermediate and middle schools, and provide
comprehensive education programs on teen dating violence.
 Report any form of suspected child abuse to DHS at minimum, and law enforcement as well. This
should particularly be done when suspected abuse is perpetrated by school staff. Self investigations
leave children exposed and vulnerable to further abuse.
Recommendations to Improve System Response to Domestic
Violence and Prevent Homicide
Page 8 Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
Health Care
 Using the National Consensus Guidelines on Identifying and Responding to Domestic Violence
Victimization in Health Care Settings (http://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/userfiles/file/
Consensus.pdf), educate/train all health care providers in:
 Traumatic nature of domestic violence & post-traumatic stress disorder;
 Oklahoma’s domestic violence reporting law;
 Assessment of domestic violence;
 Referral to appropriate services for care; and
 Documentation in the medical record.
Juvenile Justice
 Initiate education about domestic violence/healthy relationships within all juvenile facilities.
Law Enforcement
 Conduct forensic interviews, regardless of age, for all child witnesses. Even teenage witnesses need
the benefit of trauma informed care.
 Strictly follow the joint response protocol for responding to children on a homicide scene established
for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and all law enforcement agencies.
All Systems
 All systems should be involved to some degree in the prevention of domestic violence before it occurs
(e.g., healthy relationship education in classrooms, anticipatory guidance for health care providers,
services to young children impacted by family violence).
 Always document domestic violence incidences in order to establish a paper trail, especially law
enforcement, medical, and social service agencies. These written records should be made even if no
follow-up is requested/required.
 Focus on children in domestic violence cases. This can include counseling, forensic interviews, on
scene help, offering resources, joint investigations, etc.
 Conduct realistic media campaigns exposing domestic violence.
Recommendations to Improve System Response to Domestic
Violence and Prevent Homicide
Annual Report Page 9
July 7: Oklahoma
Coalition Against
Domestic Violence
and Sexual Assault
incorporated
Chickasha,
Miami and
Woodward
programs
incorporated
Three domestic
violence programs
opened across the
state in Ada, Sand
Springs, and
Tahlequah.
March 5: First
shelter for battered
women opened in
Enid
Four crisis programs
opened across the state
in Altus, Clinton, Ponca
City and Stillwater.
Norman program
opened.
Tulsa Task
Force for
Battered
Women
starts crisis
line
YWCA-Oklahoma
City began
providing domestic
violence and sexual
assault services
1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981
Domestic Violence in Oklahoma: A History
Page 10 Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
Every effort was made to be as inclusive as possible on this timeline, however, in all likelihood, there are events
important to the development of Oklahoma’s domestic violence response that are missing.
OSBI began
reporting
domestic
violence
offenses in the
Oklahoma
Uniform
Crime Reports
Prior to 1986,
assault or assault &
battery (A&B) were
punishable by
imprisonment not
exceeding 30 days,
or by a fine of not
less than $5 or more
than $100, or both.
21 O.S. 644:
Assault shall be
punishable by
imprisonment not
exceeding 30 days
or by a fine not
exceeding $500 or
both. Assault and
battery is not
exceeding 90 days
or fine not more
than $500 or both.
Shawnee
program
incorporated
starting with
a 24-hour
crisis line
Bartlesville
program
incorporated
Two
domestic
violence
programs
opened in
Ardmore
and
Muskogee
22 O.S. 40.3
(Emergency Order of
Protection): Gave
peace officers the
right to to make an
arrest, w/o a warrant,
of a person the officer
has probable cause to
believe has committed
an act of domestic
abuse w/in the
preceding 4 hours.
Durant program
incorporated
OSBI reported
11,961 domestic
abuse reports to
law enforcement,
including 49
domestic violence
homicides.
OSBI reported
15,099 domestic
abuse reports to
law enforcement,
including 41
domestic violence
homicides.
Rogers
County
program
incorporated
LeFlore
County
program
incorporated
1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Annual Report Page 11
21 O.S. 644: Substituted $1,000 for $500 for
potential fine under assault & battery; Added
Subsection C which applies to "any person who
commits any A&B against a current or former
spouse, an individual w/whom the defendant has had
a child, or a person living in the same household as
the defendant shall be guilty of domestic abuse."
Makes this punishable by no more than 1 yr in jail, or
fine of no more than $3,000, or both. 2nd or
subsequent conviction = felony punishable by no
more than 2 yrs imprisonment or fine no more than
$5,000. Conviction of domestic abuse requires
defendant participate in counseling/treatment.
OSBI reported
15,010 domestic
abuse reports to law
enforcement, in-cluding
56 domestic
violence homicides.
OSBI reported 15,020
domestic abuse reports
to law enforcement,
including 60 domestic
violence homicides.
22 O.S. 60.2 (Protection Order):
Added "emancipated minor" and
"minor age sixteen (16) or seventeen
(17) years" to those who can seek relief;
Added "the county in which the defen-dant
resides" as a location where the
person seeking relief can file a petition
for a PO; Added "present spouse of an
ex-spouse" and "biological parents of
the same child" as potential relation-ships
between the plaintiff/victim and
the defendant; Added "defendant is a
resident of the county wherein the peti-tion
is filed" as an additional qualifier.
OSBI reported 15,552
domestic abuse re-ports
to law enforce-ment,
including 37
domestic violence
homicides.
22 O.S. 60.2 (Protection Order):
Added "victim of stalking" and "victim
of harassment" to "victim of domestic
abuse;" Added the checkoff "The defen-dant
has stalked or harassed _______.;"
Added the checkoff "not related" to the
potential relationship between plaintiff/
victim and defendant; Added the re-quest
checkoffs "order the defendant to
cease stalking the victim" and "order
the defendant to cease harassment of
the victim"
Stigler
program
began
OSBI reported
16,602 domestic
abuse reports to
law enforcement,
including 61
domestic violence
homicides.
OSBI reported
18,152 domestic
abuse reports to
law enforcement,
including 51
domestic violence
homicides.
OSBI reported
18,621 domestic
abuse reports to
law enforcement,
including 60
domestic violence
homicides.
OSBI reported
21,683 domestic
abuse reports to
law enforce-ment,
including
38 domestic
violence homi-cides.
22 O.S. 40.3 (Emergency Order of
Protection): Added Subsections C and
D: C) When an arrest has been made,
but court is not open for business, vic-tim
can request an emergency PO; D)
The forms used by law enforcement
shall be substantially similar to those
used under section 60.2
Page 12 Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
21 O.S. 644: Any person
convicted of domestic abuse
committed in presence of child
shall be sentences to no less than
6 months. The fine for a felony
violation of this subsection shall
not be more than $5,000.
Classifies domestic abuse as
sufficient for a felony charge
OSBI reported
23,087 domestic
abuse reports to
law enforcement,
including 58
domestic violence
homicides.
OSBI reported
21,435 domestic
abuse reports to law
enforcement,
including 55
domestic violence
homicides.
OSBI reported
21,211 domestic
abuse reports to
law enforcement,
including 64
domestic violence
homicides.
RSVP Family
Safety Court
Watch began to
observe
Protective Order
and Criminal
Courts in Tulsa
County.
OU Community
School of
Medicine Tulsa
began including
domestic
violence
curricula in
classes for
medical
students and
residents.
21 O.S. 644: Rewrote the
first sentence of subsection
C to read: "Any person
who commits any assault
and battery against a
current or former spouse, a
present spouse of a former
spouse, parents, a foster
parent, a child, a person
otherwise related by blood
or marriage, a person with
whom the defendant is in a
dating relationship, an
individual with which the
defendant has had a child, a
person who formerly lived
in the same household as
defendant, or a person
living in the same house-hold
as the defendant..."
22 O.S. 40.3 (Emergency Tem-porary
Order of Protection):
Substituted "72" for "4" under
subsection B which reads: "A
peace officer may arrest without
a warrant a person anywhere,
including his place of residence,
if the peace officer has probable
cause to believe the person
within the preceding (72) hours
has committed an act of domestic
abuse..."
DVFRB reports
77 domestic
violence homicide
cases, including
86 victims.
DVFRB reports
87 domestic
violence homicide
cases, including
93 victims.
April: ORCPI awarded
funding from the Department
of Justice COPS Office,
specifically for the purpose of
conducting a Domestic
Violence Conference for the
region.
September: ORCPI
awarded grant from DOJ/
COPS Office for domes-tic
violence training
within Oklahoma. Began
offering DV I and DV II
course annually.
December 12-13:
1st Annual Attorney
General sponsored,
Statewide
Conference on
Domestic Violence
OSBI reported
22,065 domestic
abuse reports to
law enforcement,
including 44
domestic violence
homicides.
DVFRB reports
70 domestic vio-lence
homicide
cases, including
73 victims.
22 O.S. 60.2 (Protection Order):
Added "county in which the
domestic violence occurred" as a
potential place for person to file
petition for PO; Inserted items
relating to dating relationship;
Added the "not related" checkoff
to form filled out when plaintiff is
filing on behalf of someone else
for relationship between the
plaintiff and the victim; Added
"Order suspension of child
visitation..." as a plaintiff request;
added order for defendant not to
"telephone;" Added checkoff for
defendant to pay costs of service
of process
22 O.S. 40.3 (Emergency
Order of Protection): Now
reads "When the court is not
open for business…" (no
arrest necessary to request
emergency PO); added "or a
responsible adult if the victim
is a minor child or incompe-tent
person" to C.3 for whom
the officer can provide notice
of approval/disapproval of an
emergency PO
Annual Report Page 13
Seminole
program
began
1997 1998 1999 2000
OSBI reported
23,687 domestic
abuse reports to
law enforcement,
including 51 do-mestic
violence
homicides. DVFRB reports 61
domestic violence
homicide cases,
including 63
victims.
22 O.S. 60.14: NEW
LAW: Creates the Address
Confidentiality Program:
which enables state and
local agencies to respond
to requests for public re-cords
without disclosing
the location of a victim of
domestic abuse, sexual
assault, or stalking…
Latino Community
Development Agency
(OKC) began services
for prevention and
education case
management.
OSBI reported
25,157 domestic
abuse reports to
law enforcement,
including 45 do-mestic
violence
homicides.
Attorney Gen-eral's
Annual
Statewide Do-mestic
Violence
Conference be-comes
Partners
for Change Con-ference
with col-laboration
and
partnership from
other state agen-cies
and not for
profit agencies.
DVFRB reports
73 domestic
violence
homicide cases,
including 80
victims.
22 O.S. 60.2
(Protection
Order): In-serted
"a victim
of rape" as a
person who
may seek relief
22 O.S. 1602:
New Law
creating the
DVFRB
22 O.S. 60.2 (Protection Order): Added provision that "if the
person seeking relief is a victim of stalking but is not a family or
household member or an individual who is or has been in a
dating relationship with the defendant, the person seeking relief
must file a complaint against the defendant with the proper law
enforcement agency before filing a petition for a (PO) with the
district court;" Added provisions to address if petition for an
action in divorce has been filed; Added provision that if
"defendant is a minor child, the petition shall be filed with the
court having jurisdiction over juvenile matters"
OSBI reported
23,773 domestic
abuse reports to
law enforcement,
including 57 do-mestic
violence
homicides.
DVFRB reports 68
domestic violence
homicide cases,
including 75
victims.
OSBI reported 24,542
domestic abuse
reports to law
enforcement,
including 54
domestic violence
homicides.
YWCA-OKC, with VAWA
funding, initiated a domestic
violence and support group
program for incarcerated women
in three female correctional
facilities in Oklahoma.
22 O.S. 40.1
(NOW 21 O.S.
142A-3): Added
"and domestic
violence" after
sexual assault to
define victims
that the 24-hour
phone service
was designed for
DVFRB reports 93
domestic violence
homicide cases,
including 98
victims.
21 O.S. 644: Added “a former
spouse of a present spouse” to
the list of parties protected from
domestic abuse. Upon
conviction, defendant shall be
punished" by imprisonment no
more than 1 year, or fine no
more than $5,000, or both. 2nd
conviction - imprisonment no
more than 4 years or fine no
more than $5,000, or both;
Added subsection D - I: D)
Domestic abuse against a
pregnant woman; E) domestic
abuse as described in C resulting
in great bodily injury; F)
domestic abuse as described in C
committed in presence of child;
G) defines in presence of child;
H) sufficiency for felony charge;
I) Strangulation
2001 2002 2003 2004
Page 14 Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
Page 15
22 O.S. 40.3
(Emergency Tem-porary
Order of
Protection):
Inserted "domestic
violence, stalking,
harassment"
following "the
victim of"
Marshall County
program founded.
22 O.S. 58 (Medical Reporting of DV): NEW LAW: Criminally injurious conduct,
which appears to be or is reported by victim to be domestic abuse (DA), as defined in
section 60.1, or DA by strangulation, DA resulting in great bodily harm, or DA in
presence of a child...shall be reported according to standards in subsection B; B) Except
as provided for in Section 7104 of Title 10, any physician/nurse...shall not be required to
report any incident of what appears to be or is reported to be DA...IF: 1) Victim is over
18, and 2) victim-adult is not incapacitated; C) when report is required - when orally or
written request made by victim; D) Clear and legible documentation of the incident and
injuries; E) Refer victim to DV and Victim Services programs; F) If make a report, must
provide copies to law officer making investigation
22 O.S. 1602:
Added "a designee
of the Victims
Services Unit of the
Office of the AG;
Substituted
"Attorney General"
for the
Commissioner of the
ODMHSAS for the
appointing authority
OSBI reported
24,105 domestic
abuse reports to law
enforcement, in-cluding
47 domestic
violence homicides.
DVFRB reports 83
domestic violence
homicide cases,
including 83 victims.
43 O.S. 109.3: NEW LAW: In
every case involving custody,
guardianship, or visitation with
a minor child, the court shall
consider the evidence of
domestic abuse, stalking, and/
or harassment… If the
occurrence of domestic abuse,
stalking, or harassment is
established by a preponderance
of the evidence, there shall be a
rebuttable presumption that it
is not in the best interest of the
child to (be in contact) with the
perpetrator.
22 O.S. 1602: Added the
Director of the Department of
Human Services and a
member of the Judiciary to the
DVFRB
21 O.S. 644: Increased fine from $3,000 to $5,000 in
subsection C; Added (3) Domestic abuse committed in
presence of child shall be sentenced to not less than 6
months and (4) 2nd or subsequent conviction shall be a
felony; Inserted subsection D which provides that
domestic abuse against a pregnant woman with
knowledge of the pregnancy is a misdemeanor, that
subsequent offense of domestic abuse against a pregnant
woman w/ knowledge of pregnancy = felony of 10
years, and that domestic abuse resulting in a miscarriage
or injury = felony of 20 years; Substituted "Attorney
General" for ODMHSAS
DVFRB reports 67
domestic violence
homicide cases,
including 72 victims.
Title 74, Ch 2, Sec
18p-1: Established
Victims Services
Unit within Attorney
General's Office
f.a.c.e.s. (Families &
Communities Empow-ered
for Safety, Inc)
began in Tulsa.
Ann Patterson
Dooley Family
Safety Center
established in
Tulsa County
OSBI reported
25,893 domestic
abuse reports to
law enforcement,
including 32
domestic violence
homicides.
Caitlin Wooten Act
Title 22, ch 19, Sec 1101 : NEW section D) "There
shall be a rebuttable presumption that no condition of
release would assure the safety of the community if the
state shows by clear and convincing evidence that the
person was arrested for a violation of Section 741 of
Title 21 (kidnapping)
Title 74, Ch 2 Sec 18p-9 NEW LAW: Allows AG to
establish system to assist public officials in carrying
out their duties to notify and inform crime victims and
witnesses…allowed for the creation of VINE (Victim
Information and Notification Everyday)
2005 2006
Page 16
22 O.S. 60.14 (Address Confidenti-ality
Program): Moved ACP to the
Office of Attorney General from the
Secretary of State. Added D.2: "An
adult or minor child who resides with
the applicant who also needs to be a
program participant in order to
ensure the safety of the applicant
may apply. Each adult living in the
household must complete a separate
application. An adult may apply on
behalf of a minor;" Added "certified
and registered" to the type of mail to
be forwarded and added "for no
charge;" Added "The Attorney
General shall not be required to track
or otherwise maintain records of any
mail received on behalf of a
participant unless the mail is certified
or registered mail;" Added warning
that no employee of state/local
agency shall disclose addresses;
Added provision to designate state/
local agencies to assist persons in
applying to program; Added provi-sion
for training of application assis-tants;
: I) may enter into agreements
with fed government, tribes, other
entities to implement this program
DVFRB reports 83
domestic violence
homicide cases,
including 89 victims.
22 O.S. 1601:
DVFRB was renewed
through 2013.
OSBI reported 23,400 domestic
abuse reports to law enforcement,
including 56 domestic violence
homicides.
Title 74, Ch 2, Sec 18p-1: Under C.4,
Substituted "Victims of Stalking" for
"Persons who commit domestic abuse"
to describe who a domestic violence
program or sexual assault program
offers services to; Added subsection 'D'
which states: "As used in this act,
'batterers intervention program' or
'batterers treatment program' means an
agency, org, facility, or person who
offers, provides or engages in the
offering of counseling or intervention
services to persons who commit
domestic abuse."
21 O.S. 644: Added this 3rd sentence to sub-section
E.2.a: "Three unexcused absences in
succession or seven unexcused absences in a
period of fifty-two (52) weeks from any
court-ordered domestic abuse counseling or
treatment program shall be prima facie
evidence of the violation of the conditions of
probation for the district attorney to seek
acceleration or revocation of any probation
entered by the court;" Added par 3 which sets
a review hearing for no more than 120 days
after defendant is set to participate in
counseling, again added a sentence which
makes unexcused absences evidence of
violation of conditions of probation; Added
subsection L: "In the course of prosecuting
any charge of domestic abuse, stalking,
harassment, rape, or violation of a protective
order, the prosecutor shall provide the court,
prior to sentencing or any plea agreement, a
local history and any other available history
of past convictions of the defendant within
the last ten (10) years relating to domestic
abuse, stalking, harassment, rape, violation of
a protective order, or any other violent
misdemeanor or felony convictions."
YWCA-OKC developed a Child
Welfare Training Program and
began providing training for all
Level II Child Welfare Workers
statewide on the topic of best
practice interventions for working
with families experiencing
domestic violence.
22 O.S. 1601: Legislation
passed allowing the Child
Death Review Board and
DVFRB to meet jointly to
review cases that overlap.
Screen to Save Program —
a collaboration between
Tulsa County Medical
Society, Tulsa Osteopathic
Society, DVIS, F.A.C.E.S.
and OU began.
OSBI reported 23,853 domestic
abuse reports to law enforcement,
including 51 domestic violence
homicides.
22 O.S. 60.21-.29: NEW
LAW: defines Foreign PO,
Mutual Foreign PO, State,
Tribunal, etc.
DVFRB reports 80
domestic violence
homicide cases, in-cluding
82 victims.
September 12: First
joint case review
conducted by the
DVFRB and Child
Death Review Board.
District Attorneys Council establishes
Coordinated Community Response
Specialist and Domestic Violence
Resource Prosecutor to assist communities
across the state
CLEET increased
basic academy
domestic violence
training from 6 to 13
hours.
2007 2008
Page 17
OSBI reported 25,189 domestic
abuse reports to law enforcement,
including 60 domestic violence
homicides.
43 O.S. 110.1: Added NEW sec-tions:
Inserted the phrase,
"provided that the parents agree to
cooperate and that domestic vio-lence,
stalking, or harassing be-haviors
as defined in Section 109
of this title are not present in the
parental relationship" to the policy
statement of the state in encourag-ing
parents to maintain the rights
and responsibilities of rearing their
children; Removed the following
sentence: "The burden of proof
that such shared parenting would
be detrimental to such child shall
be upon the parent requesting sole
custody and the reason for such
determination shall be documented
in the court record."
43 O.S. 111.4: Added
NEW LAW: Subsection
A) A parent who, in good
faith and with a
reasonable belief
supported by fact,
determines that the child
of that parent is the victim
of child abuse or neglect,
or suffers from effects of
domestic violence, may
take necessary actions to
protect the child,
including refusing to
permit visitation; B) In
cases in which there is
evidence to substantiate
suspected or confirmed
child abuse or neglect,
visitation shall be
suspended.
Title 43, Sec 109: Added Section I, which states
that in any case with a dispute as to custody of a
minor child, a determination of DV/stalking/harass
raises a rebuttable presumption that any form of
custody with the perpetrator is detrimental and not
in the best interest of the child; Added section I.2
which defines "domestic violence," "stalking,"
"harassment;" Added I.3, which states that if a
parent is absent or relocates as a result of an act of
DV by the other parent, that absence/relocation
shall not be a factor weighing against them in de-termining
custody/visitation; Added I.4, which
states that safety of the child and the parent who is
a victim of DV/stalking is a primary factor; Added
I.5, which allows the court to consider the history
of the parent causing harm, injury, threats, assault,
etc. in determining issues regarding custody/
visitation.
22 O.S. 1601: DVFRB moved from the
Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource
Center to the Office of Attorney General.
Added the Executive Director of the Office
of Juvenile Affairs to the DVFRB
DVFRB reports 88
domestic violence
homicide cases,
including 90 victims.
21 O.S. 644: Added "The court
may suspend sentencing of the
defendant until the defendant has
presented proof to the court of
enrollment in a program of treat-ment
for domestic abuse by an
individual licensed practitioner or a
domestic abuse treatment program
certified by the Attorney General
and attendance at weekly sessions
of such program. Such proof shall
be presented to the court by the
defendant no later than one
hundred twenty (120) days after the
defendant is ordered to such
counseling or treatment. At such
time, the court may complete
sentencing, beginning the period of
the sentence from the date that
proof of enrollment is presented to
the court, and schedule reviews as
required;" Changed the last sen-tence
of subsection I to read
"'strangulation' means any form of
asphyxia; including, but not limited
to, asphyxia characterized by
closure of the blood vessels or air
passages of the neck as a result of
external pressure on the neck or the
closure of the nostrils or mouth as a
result of external pressure on the
head."
OSBI reported 11,961 domestic
abuse reports to law enforcement,
including 49 domestic violence
homicides.
22 O.S. 60.2 (Protection
Order): Added subsection
E which allowed for
protection order to extend
to pets and other animals.
DVFRB reports 70 domestic
violence homicide cases,
including 75 victims.
21 O.S. 644: In the first sentences of subsections C, H,
and I, inserted "a former spouse of a present spouse, and
substituted "is or was in a dating relationship" for "is in
a dating relationship;" Added "for a period of 10 years
following the completion of any court imposed
probationary term; provided, the person has not, in the
meantime been convicted of a misdemeanor involving
moral turpitude or a felony" to the sentence which prior
to read "Any plea of guilty or finding of guilt for a
violation of subsection C, E, F, H or I of this section
shall constitute a conviction of the offense for the
purpose of this act or any other criminal statute under
which the existence of a prior conviction is relevant"
under subsection M.
2009 2010
Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
 Explore the use of lethality and danger assessments for system professionals. In 2009, the OK-LAI
began testing the use of danger assessment with law enforcement on the scene of a domestic violence
incident with immediate contact with victim services and victims.
 Add a Judicial representative to the Board. Accomplished in November 2006.
 Add a Department of Human Services representative to the Board. Accomplished in November 2006.
 Support sunset-review legislation in spring 2007 to renew Board authority. The DVFRB legislation
was renewed through 2013.
 Work with other organizations/agencies to see what systemic changes could be implemented without
legislation. This is an ongoing task that the Board is constantly addressing. Past work has included
discussion with homicide units, the Department of Human Services, and domestic violence programs
among others.
 Research firearms access and the enforcement of state and federal firearms laws. An Oklahoma team
attended a Federal Firearm training in September 2006. Upon return the DVFRB, Office of Attorney
General and the Eastern, Northern and Western U.S. Attorneys’ Offices partnered to conduct regional
trainings across the state over a 3 year period.
 Established a subcommittee to investigate and suggest a system for crisis response and develop best
practices for assisting children on scene who witness and/or survive homicide. The subcommittee was
established by the board in 2006. The work of the subcommittee is ongoing.
Courts
 Title 22 needs to be amended to mirror the Title 21 stalking definition and added into the model order
of protection. Accomplished with legislative change in 2010.
District Attorneys
 Provide Evidence Based Prosecution and Domestic Violence 101 Training to all District Attorneys and
Assistant District Attorneys that prosecute domestic violence. DAC hired a Domestic Violence
Resource Prosecutor to assist DA offices across the state in prosecuting misdemeanor DV cases. The
DVRP also trained ADA’s across the state in evidence-based prosecution.
 Increase penalty range for Domestic Assault & Battery –After Former Felony Conviction. In 2004, the
penalty for 2nd and subsequent conviction of domestic assault & batter was increased to no more than 4
years and not more than $5,000 fine, or both. This is an increase from the prior 2 year maximum
sentence.
Domestic Violence Advocates
 Public information campaign, i.e., what can communities do when they know “bad activity” is going
on? “How can I help my friend/family?” In 2011, the OCADVSA launched a new public awareness
campaign to raise awareness among family and friends of victims of domestic violence and how they
can help.
2001—2011: A Review of Past Recommendations and
Accomplishments
Page 18 Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
Human & Social Services
 Continue to improve capacity of DHS workers to assess danger to children and other clients by
including domestic violence screening and response in operational procedures. A committee has been
established to work on designing and implementing new policy and procedures for child abuse cases
with a domestic violence component.
Law Enforcement
 Mandate that CLEET formulate and establish an eight hour, mandatory, continuing education
curriculum on domestic violence and stalking for all certifying full-time and reserve peace officers.
Mandate that all currently certified full-time and reserve peace officers are to complete the training
within a four-year time frame. The training should include, at a minimum, the importance of reporting
domestic violence incidents, determining the predominant aggressor, evidence based investigation of
domestic violence and stalking, and lethality assessment. SB 567 passed in Spring 2011 to create a
working group to revise the CLEET basic academy curriculum to meet the standards recommended
and develop a plan for including continuing education.
 Develop the capacity to perform danger assessment on all domestic violence calls with attention paid
to weapon accessibility or the presence of weapons in the home. The OK-LAI is testing the use of
danger assessment with law enforcement on the scene of a domestic violence incident with immediate
contact with victim services and victims. Results from this study have the potential to support the use
of danger assessments with law enforcement on the scene.
Legal
 Establish/expand laws designed to protect children and victims of violence in family courts in matters
of custody and visitation. Revised sections 43 O.S. 109, 43 O.S. 110.1, and 43 O.S. 111.4 to improve
protective powers in matters of custody and visitation where domestic violence is a factor.
 Establish a legal presumption against joint legal custody in cases involving domestic violence. In
2006, new law was established under 43 O.S. 109.3. Establishing that in every case involving custody,
guardianship, or visitation with a minor child, the court shall consider the evidence of domestic abuse,
stalking, and/or harassment… If the occurrence of domestic abuse, stalking, or harassment is
established by a preponderance of the evidence, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that it is not in
the best interest of the child to (be in contact) with the perpetrator.
All Systems
 Communities across the state should collaborate to develop a coordinated community response to
domestic violence. Twenty-seven communities across the state have developed Coordinated Community
Response Teams to address domestic violence in their community.
 Develop Family Justice Centers for comprehensive service and support for victims of domestic violence.
Centers should be designed to improve victims' access to critical services by housing them in one location.
A Family Justice Center opened in Tulsa in 2005.
2001—2011: A Review of Past Recommendations and
Accomplishments
Annual Report Page 19
Page 20 Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
Domestic Violence Reports to Law Enforcement &
Deaths Due to Domestic Violence by County, Oklahoma 2006-2010
Cimarron
Texas
Beaver
Harper
Ellis
Roger Mills
Beckham
Woodward
Woods Alfalfa
Major
Dewey
Custer
Washita
Greer Kiowa
Blaine
Caddo
Grant
Garfield
Kingfisher
Kay
Noble
Payne
Logan
Canadian Oklahoma
Cleveland
Grady
Pawnee
Osage
Creek
Lincoln
McClain
Jackson
Tillman
Comanche
Cotton
Stephens
Jefferson
Garvin
Carter
Murray
Love
Pontotoc
Johnston
Coal
Atoka
Bryan
Hughes
Okfuskee
Pittsburg
McIntosh
Pushmataha
Choctaw McCurtain
Le Flore
Latimer
Haskell
Sequoyah
Muskogee
Tulsa
Wagoner Cherokee
Adair
Ottawa
Washington
Rogers
Nowata
Craig
Mayes
Marshall
Harmon
Delaware
Okmulgee
Seminole
Pottawatomie
De aths Due to Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Reports to LE
68%+ Above State Rate
34-67% Above State Rate
1-33% Above State Rate
1-33% Below State Rate
34-67% Below State Rate
68%+ Below State Rate
No Deaths
68%+ Above State Rate
34-67% Above State Rate
1-33% Above State Rate
1-33% Below State Rate
34-67% Below State Rate
68%+ Below State Rate
Annual Report Page 21
Certified Domestic Violence Program (30)
Certified Satellite DV Program (13)
Tribal DV Program (12)
Certified Batterer Intervention Program (30)
Coordinated Community Response Team (26)
Tribal CCR Team (1)
Potential CCR Teams (6)
*There may be service locations in Oklahoma the DVFRB was not aware of at the time of this report and are therefore not represented on this map. Services are
represented by their county location, not necessarily their exact map location.
Domestic Violence Response Locations - 2011*
Cimarron
Texas
Beaver
Harper
Ellis
Roger Mills
Woodward
Woods Alfalfa
Major
Dewey
Custer
Washita
Greer Kiowa
Blaine
Caddo
Grant
Garfield
Kingfisher
Kay
Noble
Payne
Logan
Canadian
Grady
Pawnee
Osage
Creek
Lincoln
McClain
Jackson
Tillman
Cotton
Stephens
Jefferson
Garvin
Murray
Love
Coal
Atoka
Bryan
Hughes
Okfuskee
McIntosh
Pushmataha
Choctaw McCurtain
Le Flore
Latimer
Muskogee
Wagoner Adair
Rogers
Nowata
Craig
Mayes
Harmon
Ottawa
Delaware
Washington
Tulsa
Cherokee
Sequoyah
Haskell
Pittsburg
Okmulgee
Pontotoc
Johnston
Marshall
Carter
Cleveland
Oklahoma
Comanche
Beckham
Pottawatomie Seminole
Acknowledgements
Page 22 Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
T he members of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board and the staff of the Oklahoma Office of
Attorney General gratefully acknowledge the time and effort rendered during this project. The
outcomes of this project would not have been possible without the gracious cooperation and
collaboration of the officials and their staffs acknowledged here:
 Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
 Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
 Oklahoma Department of Human Services
 Oklahoma State Department of Health
Many thanks to all of the County Sheriffs, Police Chiefs, District Attorneys, Court Clerks and their
staffs who have helped us gather the case materials. We realize many of you already are pushing the
boundaries of time and we appreciate your hard work. A special thanks to the Oklahoma Violence Against
Women Act Board through the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council. The S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women
Act Grant funds this project. Without this support, this project would not be possible.
DVFRB Activities
 Brandi Woods-Littlejohn presented Joint Reviews by the Child Death Review Board and Domestic Violence Fatality
Review Board: The Oklahoma Experience (with CDRB Administrator Lisa Rhoades), Conference on Child Abuse
and Neglect in Norman, OK, September 2010.
 The Office of Attorney General (OAG) sought VAWA funds and provided dedicated staff to coordinate an
annual Partnership Conference focused on domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking. Board entities that
are partners for this conference include the District Attorneys Council, OCADVSA, Oklahoma State
Department of Health (OSDH), and the DVFRB.
 Staff member Brandi Woods-Littlejohn presented on the DVFRB in six classes for the Crime Victim and
Survivor Services division at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City.
 Board members Jeff Smith and Janet Wilson and staff Brandi Woods-Littlejohn attended the National
Domestic Violence Fatality Review Initiative Conference in Phoenix, AZ, in August 2010. Janet Wilson
presented at the conference as well.
 The DVFRB met and jointly reviewed cases twice with the Child Death Review Board.
2010 domestic violence fatality review board members
Annual Report Page 23
Office Represented Member Designee
Listed Directly In Statute
Chief Medical Examiner Cherokee Ballard
Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health Terri White, M.S.W. Gwen Downing
& Substance Abuse Services
State Commissioner of Health Terry Cline, Ph.D. Patricia Damron
Chief of Injury Prevention Service, OSDH Pam Archer, MPA, Chief Sheryll Brown, MPH
Andrea Hamor-Edmondson (designee)
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Director Stan Florence, Director Beth Green
Office of the Attorney General Designee of the Victim Services Unit Susan Krug, AAG
Tamatha Mosier (designee)
Oklahoma Department of Human Services Howard H. Hendrick, Director Afton Wagner
Casey Halford
Office of Juvenile Affairs Gene Christian, JD Donna Glandon, JD
Appointed by the Attorney General of Oklahoma for two-year terms
Oklahoma Sheriffs Association County Sheriff Mike Booth, Sheriff
Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police Chief of Police W. Don Sweger, Chief
Oklahoma Bar Association Private Attorney G. Gail Stricklin, J.D.
District Attorneys Council District Attorney Jeff Smith, District 16 (Chair)
Oklahoma State Medical Association Physician Martina Jelley, M.D.
Oklahoma Osteopathic Association Physician Michell Cohn, D.O.
Oklahoma Nurses Association Nurse Janet Wilson, Ph.D., RN
Oklahoma Supreme Court District Judge Candace Blalock, J.D.
Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence Domestic Violence Survivor Lizzie Adams
& Sexual Assault Shelly Collins
Citizen Marcia Smith, OCADVSA Director
Shelly Collins (designee)
Sunshine Gross, C.D.S.V.R.P. (designee)
Oklahoma Office of Attorney General
313 N.E. 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone: 405-522-1984
Fax: 405-557-1770
Email: Brandi.Woods-Littlejohn@oag.ok.gov
Oklahoma Domestic Violence
Fatality Review Board
Please go to http://www.oag.ok.gov to review:
 This report
 Enabling Legislation
 The DVFRB Mission, Purpose and Definitions
Publication prepared by the Oklahoma Office of Attorney
General on behalf of the Oklahoma Domestic
Violence Fatality Review Board, 2011.
Written by: Brandi Woods-Littlejohn, MCJ,
Program Manager
Paige Hoster, Legal Extern
If you or someone you know needs help in a Domestic Violence situation, please call:
Safeline – 1-800-522-SAFE (7233)
If you need general information about Domestic Violence, please call:
Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence
and Sexual Assault – (405) 524-0700
The Office of the Attorney General,
Victim Services Unit – (405) 521-3921
If you need more information about the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality
Review Board, please call:
The Office of the Attorney General – (405) 522-1984
If you are in an emergency situation
please dial 9-1-1 immediately.
This project was supported by Grant No. 2011WF-AX-0034 and awarded by the Office of Justice Programs, Violence Against Women Office,
United States Department of Justice to the State of Oklahoma. The opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this
publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice.
Available on the Web!
www.oag.ok.gov/vsu