Have you seen todays editorial about the need for a safe haven and the importance of the Family Safety Center? Tulsa World Editorial: Tulsas problem with domestic violence By Worlds Editorial Writers | Posted: Friday, October 31, 2014 12:00 am As National Domestic Violence Awareness Month ends, there is discouraging news. Ten of 47 homicides in the city in the first 10 months of the year can be traced to domestic violence by a partner or spouse. Ten of 66 homicides in all of last year involved domestic violence, and nine cases in 2012. Statewide, Oklahoma has the third highest rate of women murdered by men, an offensive and unacceptable statistic. Tulsa has worked to reduce homicides and assaults, but there is more to be done. Educating victims is key — they need to know there is a safe place to flee and that support services are available. Since moving into its new downtown location last year, the Family Safety Center is on target for a 42 percent increase in the number of clients served. The center is a one-stop link to services for victims of domestic violence looking to escape harmful relationships. The importance of a safe haven cannot be overemphasized. Only 6 percent of 88 domestic violence victims killed statewide in 2012 had accessed advocacy, shelter or safety planning services, or had active protective orders before their deaths. That needs to change. There also is some progress from the state Capitol. House Bill 2526 — written by Rep. Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, — requires law enforcement to ask a series of questions of possible domestic violence victims to assess their physical danger. The questions will help the victim understand the reality of the situation and will assist the law enforcement officer as they determine the most appropriate services toward which the victim should be directed. The law goes into effect Saturday. But it must be noted that the assessment required by House Bill 2526 was already in place in Tulsa and Tulsa County when the bill was proposed, and domestic violence rates remain disturbingly high. Obviously, the search for solutions to this problem must continue. Domestic violence never is justified. Oklahoma’s ability to deal with this scourge will take creativity, perseverance and a commitment that it must be done.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 19:17:12 +0000
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