Safety isn't universal—so why should gender-based violence policies be one-size-fits-all?
By Sathvi Sri | Published May 5, 2025, 05:00 pm
Key Concepts
THE STRUCTURAL SIDE OF SAFETY
Where Calling 911 May Not Be Safe: States With Mandatory Arrest Laws
Key Insights
- In over half of U.S. states, arrest is mandatory in domestic violence (DV) cases even if it is against a survivor’s wishes.
- Only a few states allow officer discretion while carceral policies dominate others, indicating less regard for survivor-centered, context-sensitive responses that avoid default criminalization.
- Fear of deportation prevents many immigrant survivors from reporting violence in the first place.
Intersections of Race, Gender/Sexuality, and Violence
POLICY GAPS SURVIVORS FALL THROUGH
1. Mandatory Arrest Laws and Carceral Feminism
- 'Punishment-centered' and heavily relies on the police, incarceration, and the judicial system to protect survivors
- This can sometimes lead to marginalized survivors getting arrested themselves, especially BIPOC and Trans women
- Focuses on criminalization rather than long-term safety for survivors and the community at large
2. Immigration and Access to Services
- Undocumented or immigrant survivors may face the threat of deportation
- These populations often lack access to shelters, VAWA protections, or legal support which could also present a financial challenge
3. Childcare, Housing, and Financial Support
- Survivors may struggle with leaving abusive relationships because they might not have stable housing or child care
- Financial abuse by a partner could result in survivors not having their own money which can perpetuate a cycle of dependence on the abuser
Universal childcare and housing-first programs are central to creating safe conditions for survivors to leave abusive situations.
Stories on Tile
Each piece represents the invisible burden carried by survivors in a world where safety is often framed as a personal responsibility, failing to account for the structural barriers that unequally harm marginalized women. These works are intended to recognize the weight of survivors' existence, trauma, and the continuous process of transformative change .
A CALL TO ACTION
Staying Informed and Engaged
You can learn more about intersectionality, violence against women of color, the legal system's response to gender-based violence, and housing-first responses here:
- The urgency of intersectionality (Crenshaw)
- Color of Violence (INCITE!)
- The Feminist War on Crime (Goodmark)
- End Domestic Abuse (Wisconsin)
- Sustainable Development Goals and Violence Against Women and Girls
Support, Resources, and Helplines
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- RAINN (National Sexual Assault Support): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
- Tahirih Justice Center (Immigrant Women): 1-866-575-0071
- The Network/La Red (LGBTQ+ Survivors): 1-800-832-1901
- Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) Madison: 1-608-251-4445
"No one deserves to be abused. The abuse is not your fault. You are not alone." - UN
Sathvi Sri (she/her) is a third-year Global Health major at UW–Madison with interests in social justice, health equity, women’s health, and public health policy. She plans to pursue an MPH in Health Policy to help build more inclusive, community-centered healthcare systems that bridge clinical care with public health strategies.
References
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All images used from Adobe Stock are referenced below with the exception of original artwork and a portrait photograph which were uploaded by the author. All graphs, interactive maps, and infographics are original creations designed by the author using Flourish and Canva.
Credits:
Created with images by Vanessa - "women leaders celebrate international women day" • unai - "Shadow of the symbol of the fight for feminism on a purple background, clenched fist of a woman in the march protests for women's rights" • decle - "Conceptual depiction of intersectionality with a layered grid of translucent, overlapping squares in various colors set against a neutral backdrop, Photo of" • Stepan Popov - "Torn pieces of paper with the words Violence Against Women" • sakhorn38 - "prisoner in jail" • Aftab - "fairness scales of justice against the backdrop flag of the courthouse building, the idea of legal financial protection for businesses"