October 25 ,2024

As Election Day nears, this is a critical time to take stock of where we are as a country and to plot a post-election path that enables us to move forward no matter who holds office. Given that one in three people in the U.S. identifies as a survivor of violence, abuse or exploitation — and that data suggest that the real figure is well over half of the population — our vision for the future must include a robust and intersectional strategy to support survivors and reduce violence.

As the nation’s largest victim service organization, working with 250,000 survivors each year, we understand that safety is a fundamental human right that enables us to live, work and pursue happiness. Individuals must feel safe in their communities, homes, bodies and minds to thrive and reach their full potential.

We also know first-hand that violence thrives at the intersection of oppressions and, therefore, requires a comprehensive response. We know that effective gun safety legislation must acknowledge and address the link between domestic violence and gun violence. Immigration, migration and asylum policies will escalate violence and injustice if they ignore essential protections for survivors. Criminalizing homelessness while failing to address its root causes, which include violence, will shift focus from solutions to blame. Bodily autonomy — an absolute requirement for a society free of violence — will remain under threat if policy around reproductive rights and trans healthcare disregard survivors’ needs and experiences.

It is crucial that we create local, state and federal policies that are compassionate, inclusive and centered on lived experiences. Every legislative and budget decision made by lawmakers impacts the lives of survivors.

Here’s what’s at stake for survivors this election:

Gun violence prevention

Problem: The current political climate surrounding firearms is divisive, but one fact is clear: victims and survivors face greater risks without safe gun legislation. Policies that expand access to dangerous firearms have serious implications for mass violence and community safety, and especially for survivors of domestic violence. Research shows that the presence of a gun in the home increases the risk of injury or death by five times for those facing intimate partner violence.

Solution: The urgency for federal action on community gun violence, particularly regarding vulnerable individuals, cannot be overstated. The Supreme Court case of United States v. Rahimi underscores the critical need for national legislation to protect lives. Policymakers must implement comprehensive reforms that prioritize safety, enforce stricter regulations on firearms access and ensure protective measures for those at risk, especially survivors.

Safety for people fleeing violence and abuse

Problem: The words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty —”Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” — embody the promise of a safe harbor; a promise that we are failing to meet for too many who come to the U.S., especially those who are fleeing violence.

Solution: Crucial legal remedies and federal programs, such as U and T-visas for survivors of violence and trafficking, are under threat. Wrap-around services for new arrivals, including access to shelter, are vital in preventing further violence and exploitation. And we urgently need to shift the narrative away from demonizing and dehumanizing immigrants. Losing these protections endangers countless individuals who have suffered violence, abuse and exploitation and are simply seeking a safer, better future. Policymakers must recognize the human experience in the immigration policies they propose.

Access to safe shelter

Problem: Housing is a human right, and housing insecurity is the result of a collective policy failure. When we criminalize homelessness, we further traumatize and harm those already vulnerable. Youth homelessness, particularly among those aged 18 to 24, is an urgent issue that often goes overlooked and underserved. This demographic faces unique challenges that require tailored solutions.

Solution: We must implement effective policies that prioritize affordable and supportive housing, homelessness prevention and comprehensive support services to help young people transition into stable living situations. Policymakers must implement compassionate, long-term solutions that address the underlying issues of housing insecurity, rather than enact punitive measures.

Bodily autonomy

Problem: The erosion of bodily autonomy contributes to a culture of violence by disrespecting the most basic of human rights. Bodily autonomy is crucial for survivors, especially regarding reproductive rights and abortion access. Survivors of intimate partner violence frequently experience sexual violence as well as physical abuse, and abusers often seek to control survivors’ access to reproductive and gender-affirming health care. Furthermore, pregnancy and parenting can escalate violence and complicate the decision to leave an abusive relationship. These realities highlight the need for reproductive independence as a vital facet of personal safety. By making abortion illegal, even in cases of incest and rape, policymakers further endanger survivors, including minors. The violation of bodily autonomy also impacts the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly for trans individuals facing barriers to healthcare and self-determination.

Solution: Policymakers must listen to survivors and end the attacks on women’s and transgender individuals’ bodily autonomy and reproductive rights. Policies that strip people of their reproductive healthcare rights are deadly and perpetuate a culture of violence.

Those who have survived violence have much to teach us about both its root causes and the solutions. When the dust settles after the elections, we invite elected officials to join us in listening to survivors and partnering with them to find real solutions to end violence. Together, we can build a future where safety and freedom from violence are accessible to everyone.