Victims of Sexual Assault Should Not Have To Reside Near the Predator!

Adair legislator supports bill to further protect abuse victims

OKLAHOMA CITY –   A bill that closes a loophole in state statute allowing sex offenders to reside near their victim has the full support of Adair state senator Micheal Bergstrom.  HB 1124, authored by Rep. Kyle Hilbert and Sen. James Leewright, aims to amend Oklahoma law to include the residency of the victim of a sex crime to the list of places that are protected by a “zone of safety”.  Under current Oklahoma statute, the “zone of safety” is defined as a 500 ft. area around locations that sex offenders are not allowed to loiter. However, if the bill passes, the zone around a victim’s residence could be extended to 1000 ft.

  “Existing statutes are intended to protect potential victims from sexual predators, but this bill’s intent is to protect those who have already been victimized, who have been molested, been harmed and suffered at the hands of one of these offenders,” Bergstrom said.        

The loophole was discovered when convicted Oklahoma sex offender Harold English moved into a home next door to his victim, Danyelle Dyer. Since that time, Dyer has advocated for a change in state law.  

 “I was surprised to learn that 44 other states currently face a similar loophole in their own statutes.  As the bill is written, it would require the predator remain, or perhaps even live, at least 1,000 feet from the victim.  I hope that buffer zone is extended even further as the bill moves forward through the legislative process,” Bergstrom said.  “For some people, it would be better if the buffer was 1,000 miles and not just a few minutes’ walk.  I support Senator Leewright and Representative Hilbert’s work on this bill. I’m glad to see them taking steps to protect victims from further harm.” 

HB 1124 is set to be heard when the 2018 session gets underway, beginning in committee and working its way through the legislative process.

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