OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, last week convened an interim study before the Senate Public Safety Committee to examine how Oklahoma can better prevent domestic violence and protect survivors.
Coleman’s study focused on expanding the use of GPS technology to monitor offenders and enforce protective orders. While courts in Oklahoma already have the authority to order GPS monitoring in such cases, Coleman noted that the practice is rarely used, and there is no consistent statewide framework for how monitoring should occur.
“Many victims don’t know they can ask a court to order GPS tracking for their abuser,” he said. “Even when they do, there’s often confusion about who is responsible for monitoring violations. GPS tracking will give victims the peace of mind that comes with knowing their abuser is being watched, and if that person gets too close, law enforcement can respond immediately.”
Coleman highlighted past legislative progress, such as upgrading domestic strangulation from a misdemeanor to a felony, but said additional reforms are still needed. He pledged to pursue legislation that would bring domestic violence penalties in line with those for sexual assault.
The study featured expert testimony from Jacobi Whatley, domestic violence and sexual assault resource prosecutor with the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council, and a survivor who shared her personal story of escaping abuse.
“She showed incredible courage standing before the committee and recounting the abuse she overcame,” Coleman said of the survivor. “Her testimony, along with Jacobi’s legal expertise, made it clear that Oklahoma law hasn’t kept pace with the challenges victims face every day. I look forward to working with my colleagues to break the cycle of abuse.”
Coleman said his proposed Protection from Domestic Abuse Act will be eligible for consideration when the Legislature convenes in February.
The senator’s study comes against a backdrop of sobering domestic violence statistics in Oklahoma.
According to the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office, 51.5% of women and 46% of men in Oklahoma will experience sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. The Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board reported that the state averaged 115 domestic violence-related homicides each year between 2019 and 2023, up from about 90 per year in the previous fiveyear period. On average, 59 children per year witness violent deaths of family members connected to domestic violence in Oklahoma.
Coleman’s proposal reflects growing momentum at the state level to strengthen accountability for offenders and expand protections for survivors. Whether through stronger sentencing laws or innovative tools like GPS monitoring, lawmakers face increasing pressure to address one of Oklahoma’s most persistent public safety crises.
“Domestic violence is devastating families across our state,” Coleman said. “We owe it to victims and survivors to do everything possible to prevent abuse, enforce protective orders and save lives.”
For domestic violence help in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Department partners with several key resources:
• For immediate emergencies, always call 911.
• The Oklahoma Safeline, a 24-hour statewide hotline, offers crisis intervention, safety planning, emergency shelter and advocacy for victims. Phone: (800) 522-SAFE (7233).
• The Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault can be reached at (405) 848-1815 for support and referrals.
• The YWCA Oklahoma City provides a 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at (405) 917-9922 and various free services including emergency shelter.
• Additional assistance can be found through local victim services programs and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Abuse and Neglect Hotline at (800) 522-3511 for child or vulnerable adult protection.