Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, is stepping up efforts to combat domestic violence with an interim study that scrutinizes the effectiveness of GPS technology in protective order cases. According to the Oklahoma Senate's website, a meeting held by the Senate Public Safety Committee delved into the state's role in preventing domestic violence and safeguarding victims.
In a nation where intimate partner violence continues to shake the core of countless lives, Coleman is looking to better utilize GPS trackers—to actively monitor offenders and ensure they don't come dangerously close to those they've harmed. However, the study highlighted a gap in awareness; many victims don't know they can request the court to mandate a GPS device for their abuser. "When I was a freshman senator, I was shocked to learn that domestic strangulation was only a misdemeanor under state law," Coleman said, as reported by the Oklahoma Senate. "The Legislature has since made it a felony, which was an important step forward. But Oklahoma still has more work to do to stop domestic violence. GPS tracking will give victims the peace of mind that comes with knowing their abuser is being monitored. And if that person gets too close, law enforcement can respond immediately."
The study also called attention to the current legal framework, which is marked by inconsistent use and confusion around the next steps once a GPS device is requested. There's also unease over the entity responsible for the ongoing supervision of the monitored individual.
Assistant District Attorney Jacobi Whatley, who also serves as the domestic violence and sexual assault resource prosecutor for the District Attorneys Council, spoke at the interim study, providing legal context. A testimony from a survivor truly hit home the message and urgency of reform. "She showed incredible courage standing before the committee and recounting the abuse she overcame," recounted Coleman, signaling an undercurrent of resolve that was mirrored in the survivor's voice and in the legal insights shared. Coleman intends to vigorously work on legislation that would align penalties for domestic violence with those for sexual assault. This initiative, dubbed the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act, is up for consideration when the Legislature reconvenes in February.
To learn more about the outcomes of the study and the proposed legislation, the full session is available to view on the Oklahoma Senate's official website.
