Why Gov. Stitt should sign bill to protect victims of domestic violence, human trafficking

At just 13 years old, Sara Kruzan became a victim of the human trafficking industry ― forced to be a slave to her abuser, G.G. Howard. Three years later, she killed Howard to escape her plight. Kruzan was then tried as an adult and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

Her sentence was later commuted to 25 years by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and she was pardoned in 2022. She walks free today, but she will never get those 25 years of her life back.

Last year, Kruzan’s story got the attention of state Rep. Marilyn Stark, who drafted legislation that allowed minor victims of sex trafficking to use their abuse of evidence during their sentencing hearing to get a reduced sentence.

Oklahoma House Floor Leader Jon Echols (83% CPAC rating) and Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat (82% CPAC rating) have found a way to ensure that more victims of crime are not sent to prison just for being victims with Senate Bill 1470. This past week, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 1470 by overwhelming margins.

SB 1470 will allow victims of trafficking or domestic violence to enter evidence of their abuse at trial. If they can prove their abuse caused them to commit their crime, then they are eligible for an individualized sentence that considers their victimization. And it would be retroactive so that victims currently serving prison sentences could seek resentencing.

More: Oklahoma remains among highest in nation in domestic violence homicides, report says

It's noteworthy that Echols and Treat are proven conservatives. But neither supports a “lock 'em up and throw away the key” approach to criminal justice. Both are thoughtful in finding the best way to protect Oklahomans from crime.

Battered spouses and victims of trafficking deserve to have the circumstances of their abuse taken into account by the justice system. SB 1470 does that by giving judges the authority to fashion sentences that reflect the unique facts of each case.

It should come as no surprise that conservatives are leading on this issue, as we believe in justice tempered by grace. Survivors do not need lengthy sentences — they deserve safety and freedom from their abusers.

SB 1470 is good policy. Echols and Treat deserve kudos for taking the issue on, as do those legislators who voted for the bill. It deserves the governor's signature.

David Safavian is executive vice president and general counsel at the Conservative Political Action Coalition. Helen Weston is a policy analyst at CPAC.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Stitt should sign bill to protect oklahoma victims of domestic violence, human trafficking