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What's will it take to reduce domestic violence in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma ranks fourth nationally in the number of women per capita murdered in domestic violence incidents. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World file

By JULIE DELCOUR Associate Editor
Published: 2/15/2009 2:52 AM
Last Modified: 2/15/2009 3:11 AM

The flowers on Summer Rust's casket were purple, the same color as the domestic violence ribbons worn by so many of the 400 mourners attending the funeral in El Reno for the young mother and her four small children who were strangled Jan. 12., a day after Rust ended a relationship with Joshua Durcho.

Durcho, a bodybuilder and tattoo artist who lived with Rust, is charged in the slayings.

In the first two weeks of a bleak January, Oklahoma averaged one domestic violence-related slaying every 36 hours. If that pace continues, our state might even surpass its No. 4 national ranking for women killed per capita in domestic violence-related crimes.

With a deteriorating economy, a trigger for this type of violence, little hope exists that this year will be any different. On average 60 people from all demographics die annually from such crimes in Oklahoma. In 2007, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation received 23,400 reports of domestic violence.

Against this very dark backdrop, the Legislature is proposing more laws to protect the innocent and penalize perpetrators. Legislation by Senate Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, would more easily put guns in the hands of domestic abuse victims who've obtained an emergency protective order. Another bill would create a registry for felons convicted of domestic violence crimes. One lawmaker has even proposed making domestic abuse an automatic felony on a first offense.

A law recently went into effect allowing

prosecutors to file a felony charge against second-time offenders in domestic abuse cases. Prosecutors always could file felony charge in aggravated cases involving significant bodily harm. But the new law permits filing of felony charges before abuse reaches that level. The intent is to break the cycle of violence. Over the past 25 years, Oklahoma has produced dozens of laws related to domestic violence. But crime numbers keeping growing and so does the body count.

Meanwhile, victim shelters continually run full in both urban and rural areas. Services to assist victims with transportation, childcare, mental health and substance abuse counseling, and legal representation are in high demand. Victim advocates and shelter staff remain overworked and poorly paid, and too few in number.

On Sept. 17, the National Network to End Domestic Violence conducted its annual 24-hour national survey of domestic violence programs. On that single day in Oklahoma, 756 victims received services including 358 who found refuge in emergency shelters or transitional housing. Almost 400 others received individual counseling, legal advocacy or support groups. Hot lines took 488 calls, more than 20 per hour from the frantic and the frightened. What is most troubling about this one-day snapshot is that 73 people were turned away because "there was no room at the inn."

Stunned by all those killings in January, Attorney General Drew Edmondson made a public appeal for domestic abuse victims to seek help through his office's 24-hour Safeline, 1-800-522-SAFE.

Marcia Smith, executive director of the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, also spoke out. The "annihilation of the family in El Reno is made so much more tragic by the reality that such incidents are becoming commonplace."

Smith, who tracks domestic violence and champions its victims, is right. Despite all our laws, violence has surged over the past two years. No one seems to know exactly how to stop the killings, injuries and displacements.

Under Coffee's proposal victims obtaining emergency protective orders also could apply for an emergency, 180-day concealed weapon permit. Applicants would be required to clear a criminal background. But the normal procedure of requiring applicants to pass a gun safety course before receiving the license would be waived in these cases. Instead, emergency permit holders could take the course at a later date.

Opponents of the bill argue that while it is well-intentioned it could end up endangering as many victims as it protects.

What isn't open to debate is the critical need for more services. Nearly 80 percent of domestic abuse programs have fewer than 20 paid staff; 37 percent have fewer than 10. Many shelters are run down and inadequate because of relentless and heavy demand. More help for those trying to escape harm is desperately needed.

The Legislature, which could have appropriated more state money toward programs in healthier economic times, failed to do so. And now, with a $600 million hole in expected revenues, few dollars exist for expanded funding. Local money and private donations, always a major source of support, also may run short in this recessionary time. Nevertheless, those sources could be the best hope.

Support for programs, shelters and advocacy is one of the few things standing in the way of more casualties. Without help, an already deadly situation will get deadlier; efforts to educate against a culture of violence will go by the wayside.

As Edmondson said back in January, "One person dying every day and a half at the hands of a domestic partner is shocking and unacceptable."

Julie DelCour, 561-8379
julie.delcour@tulsaworld.com

By JULIE DELCOUR Associate Editor

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my view, Sand Springs (last year)

While I believe that every law abiding citizen should have the right to own a firearm. I could even support the emergency conceal carry licence, with background check. I will take issue with no gun training, that's not being prudent.

As I detest domestic violence, I also recognize the fact that it's a culture thing. Those brought up in homes that this [domestic abuse] take place usually continues the practice it later in life. Making it a felony the first time at bat, may be much, but necessary. Generally those that do abuse have done so many times before. It just like drinking and driving, when they are caught it's not the first time they have been behind the wheel when drinking.

I also believe that any person convicted of domestic violence should not own any kind of firearm. Zero! Moving first offence to a felony would bar that individual from ever owning a firearm legally.

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my view, Sand Springs (last year)

IMO,

It's been awhile but you and I agree for once.

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The Reaper, Hells Gate (last year)

Post the Bums pictures in the papers for their family and friends to see along with stiffer penalties.

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Lunatk, (last year)

You would think that this "new" administration would have given some of those trillions to this kind of program instead of increasing welfare payments and giving to ACORN and such. Folks tend to forget that it's the liberal law makers that refuse to punisht he guilty. The ACLU and such other ilk continue to block attempts to put these people in jail and in the dirt. So once again, you can place ALL the blame on the lousy liberals. Bunch of fools!

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zzx375, BA (last year)

"Some might also ask where are the churches?"

And the answer is "on every block in some sections of town".

But why not look for the church before the relationship becomes such that an emergency shelter is required?

Just because a woman and a man can be together doesn't mean that they should be together.

How many women out there have a history of destructive behavior by seeking men who demean and abuse them.

How many men do their part by battering or otherwise being a slug?

Perhaps visting the church for help in that extreme personal makeover before another person is involved is the way to go.

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Bullhead, Nicut (last year)

You're so right zz. Your post brought back memories of couples I know who have stayed in relationships for years and years that nearly killed them. I never could understand that. And when I finally talked the woman into leaving that relationship, SHE FOUND ANOTHER ONE JUST LIKE THE ONE SHE LEFT! Poor thing died at the age of 49. I tried and tried to get her to get into counseling but it didn't work.

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midtowner, (last year)

zz - you are so right. Thanks for saying what I thought.

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moogle, Tulsa (last year)

Even the NRA strongly supports learning proper gun safety and handling prior to packing heat. When I took the concealed carry class and saw how inept some people were with a gun, that was a revelation to me. I strongly support the right to self defense with a firearm. But, before state legislators start encouraging women to buy a gun, they need to understand that there is more to it than just taking the thing out of the box and sticking some bullets into it (some at the class had trouble even with that).

In regard to the domestic violence issue: I believe another relevant fact is that daughters of single moms tend to have lower self esteem, and sons of those single moms tend to commit acts of domestic violence in far greater numbers than children of stable two-parent families. With the increasing enlightened tolerance of the single mom, increasing numbers of children are being raised by peers and the TV. It's no wonder that more people are handling conflicts in relationships in the manner most likely to bring the audience of the Jerry Springer Show to its feet.

Moral ambiguity and enlightened tolerance might be fun if they didn't kill so many people and screw up so many lives.

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