Sen. Brooks, Sen. Coleman, and Rep. Hefner to hold interim study on domestic violence courts

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, and Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, will join together this Thursday, Oct. 29 for an interim study to examine how domestic violence courts could help the state better ensure the safety of victims and at the same time address cycles of abuse that can last for years and extend through multiple generations.

The study will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. in room 4S9 of the State Capitol. Members of the public and the press may attend, and the study will be livestreamed at oksenate.gov/room-4S9.

“This interim study will look at the history of domestic violence, how Oklahoma courts currently handle these cases, and then look at different approaches,” Brooks said. “We know Oklahoma has had success with treatment courts, such as drug courts. We want to see if there are alternatives and additional services and accountability that could actually reduce recidivism for domestic violence. It’s absolutely imperative that we protect victims, but the fact is Oklahoma has not done a very good job of that – we’re currently first in the nation for domestic violence against partners. We need to look at what more we could be doing.”

According to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), domestic violence courts began in the 1990s to better assist victims and hold abusers accountable by processing cases more efficiently and delivering more consistent rulings. Some domestic violence courts also focus on programs to change behaviors of those convicted of domestic violence and deter repeat offenses.

“Domestic abuse survivors often live in fear while they wait for their cases to be resolved and their abusers brought to justice," Coleman said. "Creating a system of domestic violence courts could speed up these cases and provide protections for victims sooner. I’m willing to consider any ideas that could help break the cycle of violence in Oklahoma.”

“Too many Oklahomans are being harmed and killed by intimate partner violence, and too many children are growing up surrounded by that violence. If we want to stop generational violence, we have to intervene earlier, protect victims and children, and hold offenders accountable. Intervention courts can be an important part of that work by addressing the violence and helping break that cycle,” Hefner said. “I’m grateful to Sen. Brooks and Sen. Coleman for holding this study. I look forward to working together within the Legislature to keep Oklahomans safe and make sure victims and their children are treated with the justice, safety and dignity they deserve.”

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For more information, contact:
Sen. Michael Brooks at (405) 521-5557 or Michael.Brooks@oksenate.gov