Domestic Violence Takes Center Stage at Capitol

By Amy Lester, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The state of Oklahoma has seen 24 domestic violence murders since the beginning of 2009, including 174,000 forcible rape cases, according to statistics by the Center for Disease Control.

Advocates for domestic violence protection raised awareness for their cause at the state Capitol Wednesday.

Susan Rust, the mother of Summer Rust, made the trip cross-country to be at the Capitol and share the story of her daughter and grandchildren who were killed in El Reno, just a few months ago.

The rotunda was full of red silhouettes, each one representing a person killed by the hands of domestic violence.

"I've been doing this for 15 years and it still pulls my breath from me," said Marcia Smith of the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "It reminds me that we're not doing enough yet."

Susan Rust traveled from Nevada to participate in Wednesday's event to honor her daughter Summer Rust, and her four grandchildren who were killed.

"Every morning when I wake up, that's the first thing that comes to my mind," Rust said. "You know, hoping maybe it's not real."

Summer Rust's ex-boyfriend Joshua Durcho's in jail, charged with five counts of murder. Five silhouettes now represent her family.

"I should not be looking at that, it should not be there," Susan Rust said. "None of them that have been here today should have. They shouldn't be here."

Susan Rust and many others are pushing lawmakers to make domestic violence and sexual assault their priority.

"I cannot believe with the statistics the way they are that this is not the top of everybody's list," Susan Rust said.

It is on top of her list and other survivors, who were sexually assaulted.

The survivors pledge to use their experience to make a difference.

"These victims didn't make it and those of us who are still alive and those of us that are still living and breathing, we have to do something about this crime," said sexual assault survivor Danee Sands.

The group gathered at the Capitol wanted to prevent more people from falling victim to domestic violence by sharing their stories.

"It helps me to go on and focus outside my own grief and use their tragedy, our tragedy, to hopefully help someone else from living it," Susan Rust said.

Susan Rust said it's comforting to be back in Oklahoma and see all the people who care about her and her family.

Advocates fighting domestic violence said there's still a lot to get done, but applaud lawmakers. A bill that broadens the definition of strangulation is on its way to the Governor's desk.