OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – According to the annual report released by the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, domestic violence homicides in Oklahoma decreased slightly in 2022, but the number of incidents remain among the highest in the nation. “Although we saw fewer instances of domestic violence homicides in 2022, this horrific crime is tragically rampant in Oklahoma,” said Attorney General Gentner Drummond, whose office houses the board. Oklahoma can and must do better.”Each year, the board makes recommendations to the state Legislature to improve domestic violence prevention and protection systems in Oklahoma. One of this year’s recommendations is to increase funding that is provided to certified domestic violence and sexual assault service providers in Oklahoma in the wake of high domestic violence crime rates and declining federal funding for victim services grants, says the AG’s office. Recommended changes include broadening the Domestic Assault and Battery with a Deadly Weapon charge to include weapons other than firearms, including domestic violence offenses as 85-percent crimes, increasing the punishment time for first-time Domestic Assault and Battery by Strangulation, and classifying several domestic assault and battery offenses as violent crimes.

Source: Daily Nation February 15, 2024 21:02 UTC