Oklahoma § 22-71 - Legislative findings

§ 22-71. Legislative findings

The Legislature finds that:

1. Violence and abuse are often higher during pregnancy than

during any other time in a woman’s lifetime;

2. Women are more likely to suffer increased abuse as a result

of unintended pregnancies;

3. Younger women are at a higher risk for pregnancy-associated

homicide;

4. A pregnant or recently pregnant woman is more likely to be a

victim of homicide than to die of any other cause;

5. Homicide and other violent crimes are the leading causes of

death for women of reproductive age;

6. Husbands, ex-husbands or boyfriends are often the

perpetrators of pregnancy-associated homicide or violence;

7. Moreover, when husbands, ex-husbands or boyfriends are

involved, the violence is often directed at the unborn child and/or

intended to end or jeopardize the pregnancy; and

8. Violence against a pregnant woman puts the life and bodily

integrity of both the pregnant woman and the unborn child at risk.

Added by Laws 2009, c. 61, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2009.