Written By Sikowis (Christine Nobiss)
Pandemics increase gender-based violence. According to Melissa Godin, “during times of crisis—such as natural disasters, wars, and epidemics—the risk of gender-based violence escalates. In China, the number of domestic violence cases reported to the local police tripled in February compared to the previous year...Activists say this is a result of enforced lockdown. (Time Magazine)
While lockdowns are escalating domestic abuse all over the world, gun sales are surging across the US. This country lacks a distinct culture, but one thing is certain--Settlers have long coveted their sacred right to free real estate, free labor, and male dominance all at the point of a gun which is a sentiment that still exists today.
Congressional findings for the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1585) state that “Women in the United States are 11 times more likely to be murdered with guns than women in other high-income countries. Female intimate partners are more likely to be murdered with a firearm than all other means combined. The presence of a gun in domestic violence situations increases the risk of homicide for women by 500 percent.”
AND, all of this is happening while the Violence Against Women Act has remained unauthorized for over a year largely because the NRA is lobbying against increased gun prohibitions for domestic abusers in updated bills proposed in the House and Senate. Gun violence has a “disproportionate impact on Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic women. In addition, segments of the LGBTQ community and people with disabilities are highly vulnerable to severe forms of relationship abuse, but there is alarmingly little data...” (Everytown)
THE NRA IS A DOMESTIC TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. It is a White-supremacist, hetero-patriarchal elitist faction that ignores and perpetuates domestic violence, mass shootings, and racial-bias murders. Their mission is increasing terror during this trying time for every reason mentioned above. They are behind a “perfect storm” of possible unprecedented violence to womxn, children, LGBTQIA/2S communities, and Brown and Black folx.
Tell your Senator to vote yes on the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (HR. 1620) and force the Biden administration to act quickly and fix the mess that Trump left behind.
Be vigilant and report any worries you may have about friends, family, and neighbors.
