Domestic Violence Commission Proposed For Tulsa

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum plans to create a Domestic Violence Commission within weeks, with the goal of helping service agencies better work together on the problem.

Tulsa’s Domestic Violence Intervention Services will lead the effort, and Director Tracey Lyall said they were in the process of interviewing facilitators for the discussions the group will have.

“We want this to be a working group and not just a group meeting for the sake of meeting,” said Lyall. "We have a lot of great resources in Tulsa and great services, but we will have some outcomes that are not good.”

A study of Tulsa County, conducted by the Urban Institute earlier this year, found 6,400 domestic abuse cases were reported in 2021, and in 2022, 911 received 17,000 domestic abuse calls, and police made 1,200 domestic abuse arrests.

DVIS handles crisis calls, offers emergency shelter and longer-term housing for victims. Their work focuses on Tulsa County, but a national number, 877- 799 - 7233, can help victims find help wherever they are. DVIS encourages friends and family of victims to call the same number for advice on how to help.

Mayor Bynum said the statistics and a request from DVIS encouraged him to create the commission.

"We realized what we need to do is have law enforcement and service providers and others working together more closely. This Commission will bring together service providers, law enforcement, educators, and leaders from city, county, state, and tribal government to decrease domestic violence homicides, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and elevate community awareness around domestic violence so every Tulsan can play a part in preventing it."