Tulsa City Hall taking on domestic violence in Oklahoma

Tulsa, Okla. (AP) — City Hall is taking on domestic violence in the state, raising awareness of an oft-hidden abuse epidemic that finds Oklahoma ranked third in the nation for the number of women murdered by men. That's what spurred Mayor Dewey Bartlett to host a domestic violence summit, the second in a series to focus on some of Tulsa's most out-of-control public safety issues.

Bartlett said domestic violence has been a primary social concern of his since the 1990s, when he served on the council.

"It's was obvious at that time that it was a problem," Bartlett said.

Last year, Tulsa had more than 21,000 calls to 911 related to domestic violence, according to data. More than 1,100 arrests were related to domestic violence in 2014 — while 12 of Tulsa's 54 homicides were directly attributed to domestic violence, the Tulsa World reported.

The 20 women killed in Tulsa last year was a 26-year high.

Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan said the issue is now largely a social issue where information can help break a cycle of abuse.

"Our problem, I think, is more in awareness and education," Jordan said. "People who seek services don't become victims, so we need to get people to the available services."

Jordan said law enforcement has been given the tools that officers need to help impact domestic violence, but the problem obviously starts at home.

"A male child that sees their father abusing is very likely going to be an abuser," Jordan said. "A female child who sees her mother being abused is very likely going to be abused. We need to break that cycle."

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Information from: Tulsa World, Tulsa, OK.

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The Gayly – February 28, 2015 @ 2:45pm.