At six years old, I was a victim of sexual assault by a priest — a trusted figure in my community. My sister also endured similar trauma at the hands of  authority figures. Like countless others, our experiences were not just personal tragedies but violations of our fundamental rights. Despite the gravity of this ordeal, the current legal system often falls short, allowing perpetrators to evade strict justice due to state-level disparities and negotiable plea deals.

Sexual assault is more than a crime against an individual; it is a heinous violation of a person's "Constitutional Rights".  It constitutes a hate crime, stemming from a profound disregard for the victim’s dignity and autonomy. While each state in the U.S. has its own set of laws addressing sexual assault, these often vary widely, leading to inconsistencies in how justice is served. In some cases, perpetrators receive sentences that are disproportionately light given the gravity of their crimes.

We are calling for a reform of the legal system: take the enforcement of sexual assault laws out of the hands of individual states and enforce it uniformly at the federal level. Making sexual assault a federal crime will ensure consistent application of justice across all states. More importantly, it will treat these crimes with the severity they deserve, starting with a minimum sentence of twenty-five (25) years without the possibility of negotiations or plea bargains.

Federalizing these laws will send a clear message that as a nation, we do not tolerate sexual crimes. It will empower survivors by acknowledging the severity of the offense and ensuring that justice is both reachable and substantial. Victims and their families across the country deserve justice that is not only swift but resolute in its condemnation of such acts.

We cannot bring about change without a collective effort. By signing this petition, you stand with survivors of sexual assault and support the push towards creating a fair and just legal system that truly protects the most vulnerable members of our society. Sign now to demand change and increase protections for victims nationwide.