Oklahoma Survivor Justice Coalition Praises the Oklahoma House For Nearly Unanimous Passage of the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act
Oklahoma Survivors’ Act will head to Gov. Kevin Stitt for signature.
Related to: Sentencing Reform
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The Oklahoma Survivor Justice Coalition praises the Oklahoma House for passing the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act (Senate Bill 1470) with a vote of 84-3. Last month, the Oklahoma Senate unanimously passed the bill at a vote of 45-0, advancing it to the Oklahoma House.
This legislation would allow sentencing courts to resentence survivors of domestic violence whose victimization was a significant factor in their underlying offense. The Oklahoma Survivors’ Act would also give courts the ability to impose lower sentences on survivors of domestic violence in the future.
“Oklahoma is in the midst of a domestic violence crisis, ranking first in the country in the perpetration of domestic violence and third in domestic homicides. At the same time, Oklahoma’s legal system is structured to punish survivors who defend themselves,” said Tara Tyler, Executive Director of Ponca City’s Survivor Resource Network.
“The Oklahoma Survivors Act is a beacon of hope for domestic abuse survivors across the state. We applaud the Senate and House for passing this bill. Survivors have been waiting and praying for the opportunity to return to their children and families,” said Alexandra Bailey, Senior Campaign Strategist for The Sentencing Project.
“The Oklahoma Survivors’ Act advancing through the House and Senate is significant progress, and we couldn’t be more appreciative for the support of Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat and House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols,” said Colleen McCarty, Co-founder of the Oklahoma Survivor Justice Coalition and Executive Director of Oklahoma Appleseed. “From the beginning, this bill has had widespread multi-partisan support from both the public and the state legislature. The Oklahoma Survivors’ Act now heads to Governor Stitt’s desk for signature in the coming days. We appeal to the Governor to sign this legislation, and to bring the justice that survivors have been waiting for.”
About The OK Survivor Justice Coalition:
The OK Survivor Justice Coalition is a diverse group that represents directly impacted leaders, attorneys, and advocates for incarcerated survivors. The coalition advocates for safety and freedom for Oklahoma’s survivors of domestic violence both pre- and post- incarceration. Members of the Coalition include: Oklahoma Appleseed, DVIS, Inc., She Brews Coffeehouse, Right on Crime, Fair and Just Prosecution, RISE Program, Human Rights for Kids, FWD.us, Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, Oklahoma Policy Institute, Schusterman Family Philanthropies, Block Builderz, YWCA-OKC, The Sentencing Project, End Violence Oklahoma, Free April Wilkens, Foundation for Liberating Minds, Terence Crutcher Foundation, His House Ministries.
