State Senator Jessica Garvin is asking alarm and security companies to help domestic violence victims.
The idea was sparked when Garvin, R-Duncan attended a meeting with law enforcement representatives in McClain County and discovered an area security firm was offering temporary free alarm service to victims of domestic abuse.
Garvin liked the idea and said she intends to file legislation that would give alarm and security firms a tax incentive if companies would assist abuse victims with free service ranging from three months to a year.
“This would give companies an incentive to branch out into other communities so they could help victims,” she said. “We consistently rank as one of the top five states for the highest rates of women killed by men, and 2020 saw a record number of domestic violence reports.”
Last year law enforcement received nearly 27,100 reports of abuse, including murder, sex crimes, threats and assaults. That figure was the highest number of abuse reports in at least 20 years, Garvin said.
In 2020, nearly seven out of every 1,000 Oklahomans experienced domestic violence.
“Supporting these victims will help decrease these statistics, improve quality of life, and help law enforcement focus their time and resources on other ways to keep our communities safe,” Garvin said.
In Oklahoma, 49% of women and 40% of men have experienced intimate partner violence at some time in their lives, according to figures provided by the state Department of Health.
If someone has been a victim of abuse, call the Oklahoma Safe Line at 1 (800) 522-SAFE (7233) to speak with an advocate. For more information about services for victims and survivors or domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in Oklahoma contact the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault or the Native Alliance Against Violence.