Oklahoma Took Positive Steps in 2024. There’s More to Be Done.
The New DVFRB report offers a reprieve from record-breaking violence.
Kedrick Nettleton, Community Engagement Manager
Every year, Oklahoma’s Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board releases a report that details overall data about domestic violence fatality trends in the state.
It’s a key part of the state’s initiative to prevent future DV deaths by identifying gaps in our systems. When we wrote about last year’s report, the facts were grim: it was the highest number of DV-related deaths they’d seen since they began collecting data, and a record five consecutive years with more than 100 victims killed due to DV-related violence.
This year, we’re thrilled to see a clear downturn in the numbers:
87 domestic violence-related homicides were identified in 2024, which is the second lowest total in the last ten years.
This marks the end of that 100-victim five-year trend we mentioned above. The 2024 total of intimate partner homicides in Oklahoma is 20% lower than the average over the last decade.
The total number of children killed by family or household members in 2024 is the lowest total since 2020.
Time will ultimately tell whether this report is an outlier or a sign of real progress, but there are lots of reasons to be optimistic.
“I think we’re seeing the fruit of some really intense work from our coalition of service providers being very vocal about what they need,” Leslie Clingenpeel, The Spring’s CEO, said about the report. “We’re seeing state reps get behind those efforts. I do think this is the beginning of some really great improvements in our state.”
The DVFRB also makes several recommendations each year to the state government — ideas about new legislation, new funding structures, and changes to state statutes to better protect survivors and prosecute abusers. Here are two takeaways from this year’s recommendations:
We Need to Continue to Prioritize Care for Children and Teens Affected by DV
Last year, the DVFRB recommended the implementation of a statewide program offering mental health services to children exposed to intimate partner homicides or attempted homicides — but the program was ultimately shrunk to the Oklahoma City area only. This year, the board recommended that this program be carried out in its full, original capacity, with funding to match that ambition.
Law Enforcement Training Makes a Huge Difference
The DVFRB’s second recommendation advocates that law enforcement officers undergo mandatory continuing education hours for domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and lethality assessment protocol issues. They rightly point out how critical these officers are in DV situations, and how a trauma-informed approach can make a massive difference in the experience that survivors have.
At The Spring, we’ve long been invested in partnering with law enforcement on trauma-informed, victim-centered approaches to both DV and human trafficking, and we’re big believers in equipping our law enforcement professionals with the skills and education they need to be effective. And we don’t just train law enforcement — click here to learn more about what we offer for community groups, churches, and businesses.
Any life lost in our state to domestic violence is too many, and we recognize that. But we also believe that it’s important to celebrate the wins when they come. The Spring — and other incredible service providers in the state — are on the cutting edge of continuing the momentum identified in this year’s report. We’re hard at work to create communities free from abuse, and we invite you to join us in that mission by giving, volunteering, or helping to spread the word.