Domestic Violence and Guns: Supporting Survivors at High Risk

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Domestic Violence and Guns: Supporting Survivors at High Risk

TUCSON, Ariz.: Once again, Tucson families mourn the loss of loved ones whose lives were taken in acts of violence. Earlier this month, 24 year old Delysia Yasmine Urbina and 26 year old Anisa Moreno were both killed by their boyfriends in separate domestic violence (DV) shootings. The loss of these young women will continue to impact their children, their families, friends, and their communities for many years to come.

And, we know that every day, many more domestic violence survivors in Tucson and Pima County live in fear of the direct or indirect threat of their partners’ access to firearms. Studies show that women are 5x more likely to be killed by an intimate partner when they have access to a gun. Gun violence is especially prevalent in Arizona, where in 2021, 70% of all DV-related homicides were by firearm.

Guns are not only a huge risk factor for domestic violence homicide, they are used to cause fear and wield control over survivors. Often, guns are used as a tactic of abuse to threaten the survivor or children, other family members, or pets in the home. When people use guns to threaten and control their intimate partners, the fear invoked is tied to a very real risk as we have seen time and again in these preventable tragedies.

Help is available. Whether a survivor is interested in support through the criminal legal system, or through the community, there are options to increase safety in DV situations involving firearms. Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse (Emerge) offers a crisis hotline available 24/7 to address immediate safety needs and connect survivors to other supports, such as emergency shelter or lay legal support services.

“While the risk associated with domestic abuse and guns is severe, survivors may feel afraid to call 911 for help—and they may not know what support options are available to them,” said Anna Harper, CEO of Emerge. “We want to help survivors find the option that feels safest to them based on their needs, and we want survivors to know what they can ask for from the criminal legal system when accessing safety.”

Emerge staff are able to walk survivors through their options in support of their goals and provide education about options available through the courts, including applying for an order of protection. For more information, visit https://emergecenter.org/find-help/domestic-violence-and-guns/.

At Emerge, we are holding the pain of the families impacted by this violence. We invite the community to join us in our work to build a safer community. Some ways to get involved are by volunteering, donating or joining our team. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, call our multilingual hotline at 520-795-4266. Emerge hotline specialists can help with safety planning and provide further information on available support. Community-based support is also available to help men in taking responsibility for being safer in their relationships. Emerge’s Generate Change: Men’s Helpline is available 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday to support men during escalated interactions with identifying safer, non-violent choices. For the men’s helpline, call 520-444-3078, Option 1.

Rebuilt Domestic Abuse Shelter Opens Doors

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Rebuilt Domestic Abuse Shelter Opens Doors

TUCSON, Ariz.: Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse has opened the doors of a completely rebuilt emergency shelter facility for people experiencing domestic abuse. The $8.5 million shelter renovation project is years in the making and is rebuilt from the ground up to address the unique trauma and safety needs of domestic violence survivors.

The renovation strikes a balance between providing as many beds as possible to meet the huge need in Pima County and creating the most survivor-centered, trauma-informed experience possible. The result is 25 studio-style living units where individuals and families have their own kitchenette, bathroom, and bedroom. The shelter campus also includes a toddler playground, basketball court, and a community building where participants can access basic needs items, laundry facilities, and a full kitchen. Shelter residents also have the opportunity to receive services to heal from trauma and work toward their individual goals, participate in support groups, and join in other activities.

“It’s been a dream to have a space that is trauma informed and designed in a manner that allows survivors and their children to have the opportunity to feel cared for, loved, and to have everything they need,” said Anna Harper, CEO. “As a community, it is our responsibility to think about how we care for people who have been impacted by violence, and this renovated shelter is a beautiful space to reimagine what survivor-centered services can look like.”

Emerge enlisted the help of an interior designer certified in trauma-informed design practices to ensure that every element of the space, from the paint colors to the furnishings and layout, contributes to a healing environment.

The new shelter facility is a testament to a community that cares about people experiencing abuse, and believes that they deserve a comfortable, welcoming space to heal. Emerge is grateful for members of our community, our partners, the City of Tucson, Pima County, and others who have contributed financially or through advocacy to this essential resource for survivors of abuse. Emerge staff, especially in the shelter program, have been adaptable and helped to support survivors with uninterrupted services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you or someone you know is in need of support, contact our 24/7 hotline at 520-795-4266.

Emerge Announces New CEO

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Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse will change CEOs starting next month. What will not change is our commitment to creating a community that’s safer for everyone experiencing domestic violence (DV).

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October Brings Domestic Violence Awareness Month Press Conference, Awareness Walk

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TUCSON, ARIZONA – Tuesday, October 1, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse (Emerge) will host a press conference kicking off Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Attendees at Emerge’s Richard Elías Memorial Office at 4455 E 5th Street will hear from Charlene Mendoza, Chief of Staff for the Office of the Mayor, Emerge, and several community partners speaking on the need for community solutions to domestic violence. The conference will also include an announcement sharing details of a new annual event to create a safer community from violence.

In light of recent domestic violence-related deaths impacting Tucson families, Emerge and several partner agencies invite the community to join in an event that fosters healing. Footsteps for Healing: Building Community Safety Together will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Silverlake Park.

We invite the community to be part of this transformative event, organized in partnership with Goodwill of Southern Arizona, Tucson Juneteenth Festival, Indivisible Tohono, Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault(SACASA), and the City of Tucson Community Safety, Health, and Wellness program.
The event will include an opening ceremony followed by an awareness walk around Silverlake Park, a performance from the Esperanza Dance Project, a resource fair, and interactive activities led by each partner organization, including healing groups, a coping skills art project, and more.

The event invites community members to take part in a powerful statement of unity, resilience, and commitment to supporting survivors and families impacted by violence. Domestic abuse, sexual assault, gun violence, transphobia, racism, violence against Indigenous communities and other forms of violence are deeply interconnected, creating a complex web of harm that affects individuals and entire communities. As we move together, we honor all those impacted by violence and highlight the importance of a comprehensive community response.

Footsteps for Healing is about fostering deeper relationships within our community and creating an environment where safety and healing can thrive. When we come together to center survivors and their experiences, we can better understand the collective impact of violence and work toward community-driven solutions.

Join us in this journey of hope and healing. Your presence is a move toward a safer, more connected community where every person can feel supported and valued. Following are reflections on the importance of this event from some of the organizations who helped organize it:

“Tucson Juneteenth is proud to announce a new partnership with the Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse in support of the annual Footsteps for Healing event on October 19, 2024. This collaboration highlights a shared commitment to healing, unity, and the empowerment of our community, with a special focus on supporting survivors of domestic abuse. By coming together, we aim to amplify the voices of survivors and honor their resilience in an event that aligns with Tucson Juneteenth’s long-standing mission to celebrate freedom, resilience, and cultural unity, while also addressing issues impacting the African American community.

Partnering with Emerge is a powerful opportunity for us to continue the work of uplifting our community. Through this event, we not only show solidarity with survivors of domestic abuse but also take active steps towards healing and hope.” — Larry Starks, President of Tucson Juneteenth

“We know that Tucson has the 4th highest number of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls in the country, and the state of Arizona has the 3rd highest rate of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. In the last few months it has become commonplace for women in Tucson to die at the hands of their partners. We all have a responsibility to the future and the safety of our communities and when I see the local news each night I recognize that we just aren’t simply doing enough.” — April Ignacio, Co-Founder of Indivisible Tohono

“Community engagement is vital in raising awareness for sexual assault and domestic violence because it transforms individual experiences into collective action. When communities come together to educate, advocate, and support, they create an environment where survivors are believed, justice is pursued, and prevention becomes a shared responsibility.” — Katlyn Monje, SACASA Director

“Teaching the community about sexual assault and domestic violence is important because it helps people understand the problem and know how to stop it. When people learn more, they can help make their community safer and support those who have been hurt. It also encourages others to step in when they see something wrong and to stop blaming victims. Learning about these topics helps everyone build healthy, respectful relationships. In the end, it helps break the cycle of violence and makes sure that victims are listened to and treated with care.” — Isaac Villegas Durgin, Community Enrichment Coordinator of City of Tucson Community Safety, Health & Wellness

Lance Meeks, Vice President of Community Engagement at Goodwill stated that The Village Program “benefits the communities in which we operate by specifically tailoring our outreach efforts, programs, and services to meet the needs of Southern Arizona’s most vulnerable and under-resourced populations, including people with disabilities; people with justice-involvement; disconnected youth; LGBTQ+; Black, brown and Indigenous people; and homeless youth.” Goodwill of Southern Arizona offers academic coaching, diploma and GED attainment, job training and paid job placement, bereavement support through a partnership with Tu Nidito, violence prevention mentorship programming through a partnership with Emerge, referrals for mental health and substance use services, housing resources, and more.

The Village Program has also been holding regular Community Conversations about gun violence throughout the city, including at the Dunbar Pavilion, the Children’s Peace Garden, and Freedom Park Center, to hear from community members and young people about the impact of gun violence on their lives. Meeks noted, “The Village Program will focus on strengthening families and healing community through a village approach in order to create safety and trust.

In the News

Our Community Owes Domestic Abuse Survivors Better Choices

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Every day, people experiencing domestic violence (DV) make the choices they can to survive. In far too many cases, the choices available to survivors simply aren’t good enough—with devastating consequences.

Recently, one DV survivor in Tucson faced an impossible choice: stay in the car while her intoxicated boyfriend fled the police up Mt. Lemmon, or take the risk and jump. Tragically, she did not survive the injuries she sustained from jumping out of the vehicle. This case is a heartbreaking illustration of what happens when the DV response system—and when the community as a whole—does not provide DV survivors with better options.

Public records show that the tragedy on Mt. Lemmon developed from a history of “high risk” domestic abuse. William Holloway had a pending case in misdemeanor court for a previous assault when he kidnapped Debra Murrieta. That case involved strangulation—which can be classified as felony-level aggravated assault in Arizona, and is a strong indicator that the abuse may escalate to lethal violence.

At Emerge, we are deeply pained each time a survivor loses their life to violence. This case and others like it highlight the need to build safety into our community’s DV response system by recognizing and responding to the danger that domestic abuse presents.

Understanding Risk Can Prevent Tragedy

We invite organizations serving survivors to recognize our limitations and work together to improve the systemic response to DV. Emerge, for example, acknowledges our limited capacity to meet the huge demand for support services. As a result, we prioritize beds in our emergency shelter program for high-risk cases to ensure that survivors who are in danger of being killed by their partner can recover in a confidential location. While we do not believe that we as a community can incarcerate or punish our way out of this DV epidemic, the criminal legal system can likewise improve survivor safety by prioritizing and understanding the risk associated with domestic abuse.

Recognizing the level of danger DV presents can have an enormous impact on survivor outcomes. In one notable case, a survivor’s partner put her in a chokehold until she lost consciousness. First responders were not trained to identify signs of strangulation on a Black woman. Ultimately, police arrested her and held her in jail overnight.

The decision to punish instead of support this survivor reduced the likelihood that she would reach out to the system for support as the abuse continued. Additionally, her partner, a man who used potentially lethal violence on her, received no support in being accountable for and changing his behavior. As a result, the abuse continued to escalate. The consequences were fatal when she was later left with her own impossible choice: endure life-threatening violence, or fight back.

A Community Inundated by Tragic News

A more recent tragedy highlights the critical need to properly assess the risk of DV. While our community mourns the loss of Zahriya Moreno, many were likely confused by the fact that Angelito Olivas was released on a $2500 bond for a DV incident that ended her life. According to public records, he was assessed by pre-trial services to be at the lowest level of risk to the community. This case shows how vital it is to include DV risk factors in pre-trial risk assessments. Survivors in our community deserve a consistent, coordinated response to domestic abuse that understands risk and takes measures to increase safety. More recently, the Pima County Attorney’s Office dropped charges against Olivas and we, like the rest of the community, await developments in this tragic case.

Every week, another devastating DV-related story airs on the news, whether it’s a young woman brutally attacked by her ex-boyfriend, a man shooting his partner, or a person fleeing a domestic incident shooting a Pima County Sheriff’s Department deputy. Unfortunately, these incidents provide only a glimpse of the scope of the harm DV causes in our community, as the vast majority of cases are never reported.

The Community’s Role in Creating Safer Choices

Beyond the systems involved in responding to DV, like law enforcement, the criminal legal system—or Emerge, a DV support services provider—our community as a whole has a responsibility to provide survivors with better options. Did the men in these cases have family, faith groups, or friends who could recognize their struggles with substance use or abusive behaviors and offer support to make safer choices? Did the survivors know that their community believed them, or that what was happening to them wasn’t their fault?

Ending domestic abuse demands change at the community level. The harmful beliefs and behaviors that enable domestic abuse to happen are deeply engrained in our communities. We invite you to join us in imaging possibilities for making Tucson and Pima County safer from violence of all kinds. Become active in creating a caring community. Take part in disrupting the culture that enables violence. Believe survivors. Get involved by volunteering at Emerge. Connect with our Men’s Engagement program to learn how to support people in making safer choices in their relationships. Together, we can build a community where survivors have the support and the options they need to create lives free from abuse.

University of Arizona Sorority Raises $200,000 to End Domestic Violence

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TUCSON, Ariz.: Alpha Chi Omega sorority members at the University of Arizona gain experience with fundraising and become advocates for changing the culture of gender-based violence. Over the course of a 20 year partnership, the sorority has raised $200,000 in support of Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse (Emerge) services. In 2024 alone, the sorority has raised more than $33,000 for DV survivors.

Ryann Hochuli, Alpha Chi’s current Vice President of Philanthropy, said, “I’ve dedicated myself to advocating for and fundraising in support of domestic abuse awareness. This cause is particularly close to my heart, as I’ve seen firsthand the significant and often devastating effects that domestic violence can have on individuals and families. My experiences have inspired me to make a difference and work towards a future in which everyone feels safe and valued. Alpha Chi Omega supports survivors and advocates for changes to prevent future abuse. Together, we can break the cycle, encourage empathy, and ensure that everyone can thrive in a safe, supportive community.”

Alpha Chi also invests time and energy in raising awareness about dating violence and other forms of gender-based violence among their members and other students on the UA campus. Ed Sakwa, Emerge’s CEO, said “Emerge couldn’t ask for a better partner than Alpha Chi. It’s ingrained in their culture. We are thankful for their active efforts to educate and shift perspectives, belief systems, and behaviors within the UA student population so that everyone on campus—and beyond—is safer.”

The culture of Alpha Chi doesn’t come by accident. Tracey Rowley, Alpha Chi alumni and Philanthropy Advisor to the UA chapter, works with each year’s officers and other members to learn about the power of giving back to the community and the impact they can have on the issue of domestic violence.

“Alpha Chi Omega’s national philanthropy since 1992 is domestic violence awareness and prevention. As a result of that decision, Alpha Chi Omega, across the country has led the way in addressing a pervasive and devastating issue impacting women of all ages, races, and cultures,” said Rowley. “Accordingly, the Alpha Chi Omega chapter at the University of Arizona has completely embraced Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse. Not only is the chapter one of the top fundraisers out of the 140 collegiate chapters in the country, the chapter is one of the top fundraisers for Emerge.”

Emerge thanks Alpha Chi for the difference they are making in the lives of so many families, and we believe it is important for the community to know about the action this sorority has chosen to take to make our community safer for all. They serve as an example to all of us when it comes to taking action to bring about meaningful change in our community.

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Liberation through Love | Voices Unheard: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls

At Emerge, we honor the work, strength, and resilience of Indigenous communities, especially the Indigenous women leading the movement for safety and justice. This month’s episode of Liberation through Love addresses a critical issue: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). We are privileged to host April Ignacio, a survivor, advocate, and co-founder of Indivisible Tohono, for a powerful conversation on the root causes of this epidemic, the barriers to safety, and the ongoing fight for justice.

Did you know that more than four in five Indigenous adults have experienced psychological aggression, physical violence, stalking, or sexual violence by an intimate partner? Additionally, Native American women are three times more likely to be murdered than white women.

Despite these harrowing statistics, many people remain unaware of this crisis. A recent survey by the First Nations Development Institute revealed that over half of non-Indigenous respondents had never heard about the violence Indigenous women endure. It’s time to change that.

The ongoing violence against Indigenous women is not just an Indigenous issue; it’s a community issue that demands our collective attention. It requires men to listen, reflect, and take responsibility for changing harmful attitudes to ensure the safety and well-being of Indigenous women and girls. It calls on all of us to cultivate safer communities for everyone.

This episode is a call to action. By understanding the scope of the MMIWG crisis and the challenges faced by Indigenous communities, we can all play a role in creating a safer future. Listen now, share widely, and be part of the change.

This is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Listen to Episode #2 of Liberation through Love now, and share widely!

Pima County Revitalizes Response to Domestic Violence

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Today, the Supreme Court ruled to uphold the federal statute prohibiting individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence (DV) crimes or who are subject to a DV restraining order (DVRO) from possessing firearms. This decision underscores the importance of systemic protections for people experiencing abuse—and the potential danger victims face when systems fail them. Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse is proud to announce that Pima County has also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting DV survivors.

In recent years, while families continued to lose loved ones to the epidemic of domestic abuse, Pima County’s coordinated response to DV has languished. Fortunately, Pima County has revitalized its DV response through a partnership between organizations including Emerge, Tucson City Court’s DV Court, Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA), Tucson Police Department, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Office. Together, these partners will rebuild the county’s DV response system—and grow it to involve a more diverse group of individuals and organizations in solving the community problem of intimate partner violence.

When domestic abuse escalates to the point of a 911 response, multiple community organizations can become involved and have an impact on a survivor’s safety—for better or for worse. A Coordinated Community Response (CCR) approach to addressing DV brings together a multi-disciplinary group of agencies within law enforcement, survivor advocacy programs, and the criminal justice system to work together, implementing tools and processes designed to improve safety and accountability.

“When a community’s CCR is not active, there is great impact to how accessible safety and support are for survivors,” said Anna Harper, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Emerge. “We begin to see things like a lack of attention to the impact of felony declinations, lack of training that results in racial bias and injuries being overlooked with Black women, arrest and prosecution of victims who were left to defend themselves, and a lack of attention to the risk associated with firearms.”

While DV survivors in Pima County once benefited from a robust CCR, changes in leadership, staffing challenges, and impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic gradually eroded the team’s structure. Emerge and community partners in criminal justice have worked together to serve DV survivors in Pima County over the last five years; however, the CCR has not grown to meet the immense need in the community.

With STOP Violence Against Women grant funding from the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith, and Family, Emerge and local partners are revitalizing the local CCR Team and rebuilding vital programs including:

  • Pima County’s Risk Assessment Protocol—to identify high-risk cases and ensure survivors have access to critical services
  • Pima County DV’s Fatality Review Team—to identify risk factors, systems gaps, and areas for improvement
  • Tucson City Court’s DV Offender Accountability Program—to improve the justice system response to DV through work with Abusive Partner Intervention Programs and providing support to high-risk victims
  • Pima County’s DV Strangulation Protocol—to improve training and response to strangulation as an important indicator of risk for DV victims—with special emphasis on addressing racial bias in strangulation assessment

Each of these elements is designed to prevent DV homicides, with a focus on improving coordinated support for survivors identified as being at high risk of lethality, and centering the experiences of Black and Indigenous survivors, who are often at the greatest risk of lethal violence. Another area for growth in the CCR Team is to create a more comprehensive approach that includes participation from the broader community outside of the criminal justice system.

Emerge’s role on the team is to provide training and oversight to partners to ensure that DV survivors’ needs are addressed in a trauma-informed manner in other areas of the system. April Barbosa, founder of Justice for Rosaura, has joined Emerge as CCR Team Project Manager. In this role, she will continue her work of building connections and strengthening our community’s response to domestic abuse by helping to revitalize the CCR Team.

“This role is deeply personal to me, as I lost my daughter Rosaura to domestic abuse,” said Barbosa. “My family’s experiences have fueled my dedication to this work. I do this in Rosaura’s memory to help as many people as possible. I understand the critical importance of a united, community-wide approach to ensure the safety and well-being of survivors. My commitment is to build strong partnerships and help implement effective protocols that not only support survivors but also prevent future violence. Together, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for all members of our community.

Redefining Masculinity: A Conversation with Men

Join us for an impactful dialogue featuring men at the forefront of reshaping masculinity and confronting violence within our communities.
 

Domestic abuse affects everyone, and it’s crucial that we come together to end it. Emerge invites you to join us for a panel discussion in partnership with Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona as part of our Lunchtime Insights series. During this event, we’ll engage in thought-provoking conversations with men who are at the forefront of reshaping masculinity and addressing violence in our communities.

Moderated by Anna Harper, Emerge’s Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, this event will explore intergenerational approaches to engaging men and boys, highlighting the importance of Black and Indigenous men of color (BIPOC) leadership, and will include personal reflections from the panelists on their transformative work. 

Our panel will feature leaders from Emerge’s Men’s Engagement Team and Goodwill’s Youth Re-Engagement Centers. Following the discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists.
 
In addition to the panel discussion, Emerge will provide, we will share updates about our upcoming Generate Change Men’s Feedback Helpline, Arizona’s first helpline dedicated to supporting men who may be at risk of making violent choices alongside the introduction of a brand-new men’s community clinic. 
Join us as we work toward creating a safer community for all.
Register Today!

Arizona Supreme Court Decision Will Hurt Survivors of Abuse

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At Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse (Emerge), we believe that safety is the foundation for a community free from abuse. Our value of safety and love for our community calls us to condemn this week’s Arizona Supreme Court decision, which will jeopardize the wellbeing of domestic violence (DV) survivors and millions more across Arizona.

In 2022, the United States Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade opened the door for states to enact their own laws and unfortunately, the results are as predicted. On April 9, 2024, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled in favor of upholding a century old abortion ban. The 1864 law is a near-total ban on abortion that criminalizes the healthcare workers who provide abortion services. It provides no exception for incest or rape.

Just weeks ago, Emerge celebrated the Pima County Board of Supervisors’ decision to declare April Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Having worked with DV survivors for over 45 years, we understand how often sexual assault and reproductive coercion are used as a means to assert power and control in abusive relationships. This law, which predates the statehood of Arizona, will force survivors of sexual violence to carry unwanted pregnancies—further stripping them of power over their own bodies. Dehumanizing laws like these are so dangerous in part because they can become state-sanctioned tools for people using abusive behaviors to cause harm.

Abortion care is simply healthcare. To ban it is to limit a basic human right. As with all systemic forms of oppression, this law will present the greatest danger to the people who are already the most vulnerable. The maternal mortality rate of Black women in this county is nearly three times that of white women. Moreover, Black women experience sexual coercion at double the rate of white women. These disparities will only increase when the state is allowed to force pregnancies.

These Supreme Court decisions do not reflect the voices or needs of our community. Since 2022, there has been an effort to get an amendment to Arizona’s constitution on the ballot. If passed, it would overrule the Arizona Supreme Court decision and establish the fundamental right to abortion care in Arizona. Through whatever avenues they choose to do so, we are hopeful that our community will choose to stand with survivors and use our collective voice to protect fundamental rights.

To advocate for the safety and wellbeing of all survivors of abuse in Pima County, we must center the experiences of members of our community whose limited resources, histories of trauma, and biased treatment within the healthcare and criminal legal systems puts them in harm’s way. We cannot realize our vision of a safe community without reproductive justice. Together, we can help return power and agency to survivors who deserve every opportunity to experience liberation from abuse.