My daughter, enduring the life-long strain of C-PTSD following a horrific rape at the tender age of 12, has been repeatedly mistreated by police officers due to her mental health condition over the years. This has exacerbated her trauma and strayed away from the care, compassion, and understanding she deserved in those crisis moments. This unspeakable personal story is an instance of a larger, systemic issue that urgently calls for reform. It is imperative that we educate and better prepare our law enforcement to appropriately respond to mental health crises.

According to the Treatment Advocacy Center, at least one in four fatal police encounters involves an individual with severe mental illness. A review by the Ruderman Family Foundation also found that nearly half of all people killed by police have some form of disability, with a "significant portion" suffering from mental health disorders. These statistics underline the urgent need for substantive change in how our law enforcement handles mental health crisis situations.

Our plea is for law enforcement agencies to adopt and enforce comprehensive training programs that emphasize de-escalation, non-lethal methods of control, and a basic understanding of mental health issues. Creating reform that results in help, not cuffs. Such proactive measures can ensure the safety and dignity of all involved, particularly those suffering from mental health disorders.

Stand with us for justice, reform, and empathy. Sign this petition to make a lasting change for the betterment of our society and the protection of people like my daughter.

To find out more, please visit the following websites.  We are also accepting personal stories to feature on the website!

TyrantCops.com​ | JusticeforErica.com​ | MentalHealthScare.com