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Local News

March 18, 2009

Bill will assist rape victims

Toni Hopper

A Senate bill waiting on House approval will bring Oklahoma into compliance with the federal Violence Against Women Act, if passed, and will allow victims of rape to deal with law enforcement on their own terms.

As it is, if a rape victim seeks medical treatment, Oklahoma law requires law enforcement to be contacted and brought in while that victim is being treated.

Women’s Haven Executive Director Teresa Biffle serves on a state coalition against domestic violence and is glad to see such a law being pushed forward.

“We feel like that more victims would come forth and feel like they would get medical treatment. There’s enough shame to seek help when they come forward and it’s very scary for them,” she said. “Then having to deal with law enforcement, they are unsure and scared.”

Senate Bill 894 would allow victims to delay seeking recourse against their attacker until at a time when they are under less stress.

“Then they could process it and decide if they want to prosecute on their own time,” Biffle said.

As a professional who deals daily with victims of assault, Biffle said she’s seen many of those victims hold off in seeking treatment because of the required pressure that comes with dealing with law enforcement.

“Over the years, in dealing with victims, there are those that do not want to prosecute immediately and there others that are ready when they walk through the door. There are lots of reasons why.”

Her agency is always called when a rape victim ends up at the emergency room. She praised the SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) and area law enforcement. An exam can last two or three hours or even longer, Biffle said. An advocate from her agency stays with the victim through the entire procedure.

She said that in 2008, Women’s Haven responded to 10 rape cases.

“Statistics show 1 in 3 women will be assaulted in their lifetime. If you go by that, you know women are not seeking treatment.”

She believes there’s more unreported rapes because of the fear that a victim must embrace in dealing with law enforcement, even though the officers are considerate and just trying to do a job.

Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee issued a press release praising the passage of SB 894.

“Victims traumatized by a sexual attack and the specter of legal action often delay or forego medical treatment for fear of dealing with the legal consequences,” Coffee said.

“This timely victim rights reform will provide security to those victims of the most personal violence imaginable, so they can seek help immediately, and then pursue legal action at a time when they are under less pressure,” Coffee said.

“We hope victims will feel like they can come forward — that they can get help that they need.”

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