SECTION 75:30-3-1. Service programs core services

(a)   Programs serving victims of sexual violence as a result of human sex trafficking and their dependents or family members should consider special service needs when developing a plan to offer services.

(b)   Programs shall serve residential and non-residential victims of human sex trafficking.

(c)   All certified programs shall provide safe, accessible, and trauma-informed services for victims of human sex trafficking and their dependents or non-offending family members.

(d)   The program shall develop a philosophy of trauma-informed service provision based upon voluntary services and individual self-determination. The written statement of the philosophy of services shall be approved by the governing authority and made available to the community, staff, volunteers and clients.

(e)   The program shall have policies and protocols for accepting victims of human sex trafficking and develop procedures to maintain facilities, staffing, and operational methods, including a policy on the recruitment of board members, staff and volunteers who are representative of the diversity in the local community and the diversity of their clients.

(f)   All certified programs shall ensure shelter is provided and be able to respond to special needs which may include:

(1)   Length of stay shall be based on the needs of the client.

(2)   Safety planning should be designed to meet individual, unique needs. Safety planning can be complex due to danger created by an extensive human sex trafficking organization. Perpetrators often threaten the trafficked person's family in the country of origin as well, and such threats impact decisions made by a human sex trafficking victims.

(3)   Human sex trafficking victims may never have assimilated into the local community or U.S. culture. Such lack of assimilation, in addition to language barriers and lack of family or community support may make it difficult to meet shelter requirements such as communal meals, support groups and roommates of different ethnic, cultural or religious backgrounds.

(4)   Human sex trafficking victims may have language interpretation needs. The program shall provide access to an interpreter. It may be necessary for the program to provide translations of written consent forms and other documents.

(5)   Human sex trafficking victims may need intensive case management and advocacy for extended periods of time.

(6)   A victim of human sex trafficking may feel that she has to babysit for free, cook meals or do more than her fair share of the chores. Programs should be aware of this dynamic and ensure that staff, volunteers and other residents do not unwittingly allow this dynamic to occur.

(7)   Programs should ensure victims are educated about the value of participating in the legal prosecution of offenders and that an appropriate release or waiver may be necessary. It is the human sex trafficking victim's choice to cooperate with law enforcement. Programs may have to educate law enforcement about certain policies, confidentiality and privilege laws, victim issues, including safety concerns, and whether or not law enforcement may enter the shelter. Programs shall also inform law enforcement that victims cannot be restricted from leaving the shelter. Programs shall provide alternate, secure locations for interviews.

(8)   Victims of human sex trafficking may be charged with federal or state crimes. Shelters should develop relationships with qualified criminal defense lawyers, including the federal and state public defender offices that can assist them.

(9)   Establishing networks with additional service providers: Because of the unique needs of human sex trafficking victims, shelters may have to identify and establish relationships with service providers such as those who do refugee settlement, with whom they have no previous relationship, and assess the providers as potential referral sources.

(g)   All certified programs shall provide services free from all forms of unlawful discrimination based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age; disabilities (i.e., physical, mental illness and substance abuse), economic or educational status, religion and national origin, including a policy that services to immigrant women will not be denied or diminished on the basis of immigration status.

(h)   Compliance with 75:30-3-1 shall be determined by a review of the program's policies and procedures, service agreements, on-site observation, client and staff interviews and/or other supporting documentation.

[Source: Added at 28 Ok Reg 1931, eff 7-11-11; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 820, eff 9-12-14; Amended at 33 Ok Reg 1226, eff 9-11-16; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 1390, eff 9-13-19]