OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, said during the next legislative session he will focus on establishing a Victims of Sexual Assault Bill of Rights for the state of Oklahoma. This would be similar to legislation that created the Oklahoma Victim's Rights Act, which clearly established the services law enforcement agencies shall provide to victims.

Ford, a 25-year veteran police officer, said the intent of the legislation is to ensure victims of sexual assault are not revictimized by the very systems and state-funded advocacy organizations established to assist them.

"The rights of victims must be protected through a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach that prioritizes dignity, autonomy, justice and healing," he said.

First and foremost, the legislation would ensure every victim shall retain complete autonomy over their care, treatment advocacy services and participation in the investigative process, Ford said.

"All services provided to victims shall be trauma-informed and victim-centered," he said.

The State of Oklahoma must establish greater oversight and accountability regarding the handling of sexual assault cases involving both children and adults, Ford insists.

Ford's House District 76 includes part of Tulsa County. He said the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office has reported receiving approximately 50 child sexual assault cases per week.

"These alarming numbers demand a comprehensive review of how Oklahoma responds to and investigates sexual assault crimes," he said. "For too long, the state has relied heavily upon nonprofit organizations to provide essential victim services with limited oversight or accountability. It is time for the Legislature to ensure that victims of sexual assault are protected and provided the services necessary to pursue justice and begin healing."

Ford said under his legislation, any private advocacy organization receiving state tax dollars shall provide services to any organization or provider conducting sexual assault examinations, regardless of institutional affiliation, provided the examiner is certified through the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and has completed Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) training.

Also included will be a requirement for all law enforcement agencies to provide equal cooperation and services to any certified sexual assault nurse examiner, regardless of affiliation. The law enforcement agency with jurisdiction shall be required to complete the original offense report for the sexual assault investigation, take custody of the sexual assault evidence kit and preserve all related evidence in accordance with state law and evidentiary standards. The legislation also would specify that everything collected from the sexual assault nurse examiner will be confidential and not be part of the Open Records Act.

"To ensure victims can recover from one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives, the State of Oklahoma shall guarantee that law enforcement agencies, district attorneys, medical providers and sexual assault advocacy organizations work collaboratively as one coordinated team," Ford said. "The goal must always be to ensure victims receive trauma-informed, victim-centered care from a qualified provider of their choosing.

"The days of treating victims as secondary to institutional control or bureaucratic process must come to an end. Victims deserve respect, autonomy, transparency and justice."

Legislators will be able to file bills for the next legislative session beginning Nov. 15. The First Session of the 61st Legislature will convene Feb. 1, 2027.