Mayor Nichols Issues Executive Order Establishing Tulsa Domestic Violence Prevention Task Force

7/1/2026

Mayor Monroe Nichols issued an executive order creating the Tulsa Domestic Violence Prevention Task Force in a directive to develop a coordinated, data-driven strategy for preventing domestic violence and supporting survivors across the city of Tulsa.

"The domestic violence rates in our city are a stark reminder that we cannot wait for safety to happen by accident; we must choose to act if we want to turn things around," Mayor Nichols said. "To protect our families, and especially the women and children who bear the brunt of this crisis, we must choose to better understand why these rates are so high and invest boldly in the evidence-based strategies that will break the cycle. By launching this task force, we are committing the resources, coordination, and community resolve required to improve outcomes and move Tulsa further toward becoming the safest big city in America."

Tulsa county and the state of Oklahoma consistently rank among the highest in the nation for domestic violence incidents. These alarming statistics threaten the health, economic stability, and well-being of families - particularly women and children.

"The Domestic Violence Task Force is an important step for the Mayor and the City of Tulsa to take," Suzann Stewart, CEO of Tulsa Family Safety Center said. "It shows our community that we take family violence seriously and that there is no place for abuse, sexual assault and other forms of personal violence in Tulsa. Through this task force, we are marshaling forces to better address the pressing needs of our most vulnerable families, friends and neighbors. We are also bringing together the different parties who engage in protection, hope and healing; helping to prevent homicides, reduce recidivism, and hold harm-doers accountable. It does take a community to make change, and we appreciate the efforts of Mayor Nichols to pull us together in this way."

Service providers, nonprofits, law enforcement, and community stakeholders have worked alongside the City of Tulsa for years to address this pressing issue. Establishing a formalized task force builds on that collaboration and ensures this important work continues with sustained focus.

"Domestic violence is not confined to one part of our city or one type of household, and I hope this task force will take a close look at the murder-suicide crises we have seen in south Tulsa, as well as the high rates of strangulation and financial abuse experienced by women in our community," District 7 City Councilor Lori Decter Wright said. "These are warning signs we cannot afford to miss. Tulsa must continue strengthening coordination among law enforcement, prosecutors, service providers, health professionals, and community partners so survivors are believed, protected, and connected to help before violence escalates."

According to the 2025 annual report from Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS), 98% of youth and adults provided with education, outreach, and targeted training indicated they had an increased understanding of domestic violence dynamics, warning signs, and the impact it can have on individuals, families, and communities.

Key components of the Executive Order

Task Force Membership - The task force will be chaired by a mayoral appointee and staffed by representatives from the Mayor's Office, Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa Health Department, the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office, family safety centers, advocacy groups, healthcare systems, legal-aid providers, housing agencies, child-welfare organizations, tribal partners, and other stakeholders.

Purpose - The task force's purpose will be to assess existing programs, evaluate impact, promote collaboration, provide policy guidance, identify best-practice resources, and increase community awareness and prevention efforts.

Promises Deliverables - Within the first 12 months, the task force will deliver a comprehensive written report with findings, recommendations and strategic priorities to the Mayor with interim updates provided as needed.

Support - The Mayor's Office will provide administrative coordination and staff support. City departments have been directed to cooperate fully while respecting confidentiality and legal requirements.

More Information

For more information on the Mayor's effort to make Tulsa the safest big city in the country, visit: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/mayor/public-safety

You can also view the Domestic Violence Prevention Task Force Executive Order at: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/media/31154/executive-order-no-2026-03.pdf