​I am speaking up after holding back for 20 years. Domestic violence turned my world upside down, and I am one of the fortunate ones who got away with my life. At 6 months pregnant, I was assaulted in public, grabbed by the mouth, and dragged into my apartment while bleeding, with no one intervening to help. He then forced me to wash away the evidence of his violence before holding me against my will with a knife, threatening to slit my throat and cut my unborn son out of me. The only reason I escaped is because I managed to hide my purse, convinced him I was going to the store, and never went back. The only reason my abuser served even the small amount of time he did later was because I showed up to court to testify, forcing him to take a plea deal. It infuriates me that the system relied on my bravery to secure even that minimal outcome. Our justice system failed us—it failed me, my son, and countless other survivors who are forced to live with the trauma of what was done to them while their abusers walk free. ​I know how easy it is to feel like the system is deaf to our needs, or that lawmakers aren't listening when we speak up. But if we don't hold them accountable, nothing changes. Seeing a man's profile online recently saying he doesn't want a "damaged woman" reminded me exactly why we have to do this. We aren't damaged; we are survivors, and we are stronger than the people who tried to break us. We deserve laws that actually protect us and sentences that reflect the severity of the crimes committed against us. ​We need to stop treating domestic violence like a minor infraction. It is a life-altering act of violence, and far too often, this abuse escalates until it is fatal. When so many women lose their lives to domestic violence, why is the system not doing more to intervene? Why are we waiting for the worst to happen before taking real action? We need sentences that reflect the severity of these crimes to prevent the next tragedy. ​I am calling for systemic change to ensure that: ​Sentencing guidelines for domestic violence involving weapons or threats to life are reviewed and significantly increased. ​Our legal system prioritizes the safety and testimony of survivors over the convenience of the offender. ​We stop the cycle of silence by demanding that our representatives finally listen to the millions of us who are saying: enough is enough. ​A national domestic violence registry is established to track offenders, ensuring transparency and providing necessary safety awareness for the public. ​If you are with me, please sign and share this petition. We are not just a hashtag; we are a movement. By standing together, we force the system to see us, hear us, and finally act. By advocating for a registry alongside stronger sentencing, we are demanding that these offenders are held accountable long after their initial release. Thank you for standing with me—your support is a reminder that we are not alone.