LIVE From the Supreme Court

Today’s SCOTUS case matters for domestic violence survivors. Problems viewing this email? [View it in your browser]( [Center for American Progress]( InProgress from the Center for American Progress SCOTUS Case Puts Domestic Violence Survivor Safety on the Line [A view of the Supreme Court from underneath a tree. ]( Upcoming Supreme Court case United States v. Rahimi reinforces survivors’ need for alternatives to the criminal legal system for safety, justice, and accountability. In just a few hours, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for [United States v. Rahimi]( a case that will have massive repercussions for domestic violence survivor safety. In question is the constitutionality of a federal law that prohibits those who are actively subject to a domestic violence restraining order from possessing firearms. Gun rights advocates and conservative appellate judges argue that the criminal legal system will fill the gap of mitigating survivor safety without the need to restrict the gun rights of abusers. However, the current criminal legal system is [not sufficient]( to protect survivors, and firearm restrictions must be a part of the equation. Here are just a few reasons why: - The criminal legal system has historically [failed to provide swift accountability and protection for survivors](. Despite the fact that [1 in 3 women have experienced domestic violence]( rates of arrest, prosecution, and conviction remain [consistently low](. Furthermore, even when an abuser is arrested and prosecuted, it [can take years]( to reach a conviction and for a jail sentence to be issued. These statistics highlight a harsh reality: Even survivors who contact law enforcement or seek protection and accountability through the criminal legal system are unlikely to see their abuser separated from them in the short or long term. - Survivor- and advocate-led movements have shifted away from relying on an exclusive punitive, abuser-oriented approach. Considering that the criminal system and incarceration have ripped families and communities apart, it is no wonder that [many survivors prioritize rehabilitation over punishment](. Investments in [mental health, violence prevention, and restorative justice]( removing firearms from the situation—[can improve public safety]( while prioritizing survivors’ interests. - There is a severe lack of social services for survivors. Survivors don’t just have to fear for their lives when attempting to mitigate an abusive situation. [Financial retaliation]( [loss of housing]( [child custody battles]( fear of arrest or deportation, and social humiliation remain significant threats for women who may be able to physically vacate abusive situations. - Firearms can be used in a number of ways to harm survivors. Shots do not have to be fired for firearms to endanger survivors. Even if they are locked in a safe, weapons can be used as [powerful methods of coercive control](. Just the knowledge that an abuser has the ability to retaliate using a firearm can keep a survivor from speaking out or seeking legal help, which is why keeping firearms out of the home is essential to their protection. Under the current extremist Supreme Court, survivors face enormous risk. The Supreme Court must not limit its understanding of safety—for either domestic violence survivors or gun violence prevention laws—to the formal criminal legal system, [nor to extreme, so-called originalist interpretation of gun rights](. The criminal legal system has failed to hold abusers accountable and address the complex service needs of survivors. As a result, all paths to safety, justice, accountability, and healing must be heard. [Learn More]( Raise Your Voice United States v. Rahimi will determine if survivors of domestic violence can be protected from potential gun violence by their abusers. Survivors already face a lack of sufficient social services and threats of retaliation; they shouldn’t have to face gun violence. Sign our letter and tell the Supreme Court to [protect women, not guns](. [Take Action]( 📣 Live From the Courtroom The CAP Women’s Initiative team is stationed outside the Supreme Court today to rally alongside Futures Without Violence, Students Demand Action, and other allies in support of women's rights and safety. For on-the-ground updates and live coverage, follow [@CAPWomen]( on X and the Center for American Progress on [Instagram](. [X takeover: LIVE from the U.S. Supreme Court Live-Coverage of oral arguments for U.S. v. Rahimi On @capwomen November 7, 2023 10:00am EST Sabrina Talukder, Director of the Women's Initiative ]( Workers Want Unions As recent contract negotiations with the Big Three U.S. automakers, Kaiser Permanente, and UPS have demonstrated, unions and collective bargaining can increase workers’ power; [raise wages and build wealth]( and [improve working conditions](. It should be no surprise that [nearly 70 percent of Americans support unions]( and support is especially high among [younger generations](. Despite the fact that workers want and need unions, decades of [far-right and corporate attacks on U.S. labor laws]( have eroded workers’ ability to form unions and engage in collective bargaining. Yet states have significant authority to build power for working people. A [new column]( from the Center for American Progress gives an overview of successful state action during the 2023 legislative session to strengthen workers’ ability to join unions and collectively bargain, such as repealing right-to-work laws, improving collective bargaining protections, strengthening protections for striking workers and allowing tax deduction for union dues. [Keep Reading]( At the 2023 CAP IDEAS Conference, AFL-CIO President [Liz Shuler]( spoke with union leaders on how to fight for stronger workplace protections across industries. [A screenshot of a tweet from @amprog reads: Workers are in the same fight, no matter where we work. @LizShuler of @AFLCIO explains. ]( [Share This]( A Tribute to John Podesta CAP Founder John Podesta has made his mark on many people through bold leadership, his mastery of political strategy, and generous mentorship. [A video thumbnail shows CAP Founder John Podesta seated in a chair. ]( [Watch the Video]( [CAP 20 Boldly Forward]( Follow us on [Follow us on Twitter]( [Follow us on Facebook]( [Follow us on YouTube]( [Follow us on Instagram]( [Support CAP]( [Manage Email Preferences or Unsubscribe]( [Privacy Policy]( [Center for American Progress]( Center for American Progress 1333 H Street NW Washington, D.C. 20005 [supporter]