Local

New study: Oklahoma #3 in murders of women by men

A new national report lists Oklahoma as third in the nation in terms of men murdering women, just as Tulsa's Family Safety Center prepares to move to a new home.

Formerly located near E. 31st St. and S. Harvard Ave., the new FSC will reside in the Police and Municipal Courts Building at 600 S. Denver, just east of the Cox Business Center.

The center assists survivors of domestic violence, including those facing potentially lethal threats.

In 2011, the most recent year for which statistics have been compiled, only South Carolina and Alaska had more murders of women by men per capita.

In Oklahoma, 61% of the female victims were wives, ex-wives, common-law wives or girlfriends of their killers.

FCS paid for the move with a Community Development Block Grant of $687,000, plus private donations that covered the rest of the million-dollar project.

The City of Tulsa pitched in with general contractor services, while the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office provided sweat equity, including demolition, priming and painting of the new facility.

Additional grants totaling more than $800,000 will help fund the FSC's efforts to protect the community, and particularly women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

In a statement sent to KRMG, FSC says "the new facility will offer expanded services in the areas of trauma assessment, crisis counseling, forensic and medical in early 2014. FSC hosted more than 800 children in 2012, and the new space will have double to triple the capacity to provide basic childcare and assessment while the parent on-site receives assistance and completes paperwork. Assistance in cases of elder abuse will also be provided. With the additional space clients will also have better privacy when visiting the facility."

Additional details from FSC:

The Family Safety Center offers a safe, peaceful environment where walk-ins are welcome. One-stop, wrap-around victim services include:

- Assistance obtaining emergency protective orders for victims of

domestic and family violence, sexual assault and stalking

- Help and resources to children exposed to domestic and family

violence

- Forensic medical documentation and basic medical assessments

for victims of domestic and family violence, sexual assault and

stalking

- Civil and legal support and representation to victims of domestic

and family violence

- Reduce the number of unreported domestic and family violence

cases in all of Tulsa County

- Ensure perpetrators are prosecuted

The Family Safety Center’s services are made possible by collaboration with their on-site partner agencies, including DVIS/Call Rape, Office of the District Attorney, RSVP of Tulsa, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry, Tulsa Police Department Family Violence and Forensic Nursing Units and the YWCA.

Domestic Violence Facts:

- One in 4 women will experience domestic violence during her

lifetime

- Every year, 1 in 3 female homicide victims are murdered by their

current or former partner

- 1 in 3 gay men report violence from their partner

Oklahoma is ranked 3rd in women murdered by men

21% of all Oklahoma’s domestic violence fatalities occur in Tulsa County

The Family Safety Center's hours are 8:00 to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Emergency protective orders are filed between 8 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and EPO hearings take place at 2:30 p.m. Appointments are not necessary. Parking assistance is available at the Civic Center Parkade located at 3rd and Frisco. Directions are also available at the downtown Tulsa bus station at 319 South Denver. For more information, call 918-742-7480. The 24-hour information and crisis line number is 918-743-5763. Visit www.fsctulsa.org for more information.

Listen

news

weather

traffic

mobile apps

Everything you love about krmg.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!