, I found myself ensnared in a terrifying situation. A wanted felon with three prior restraining orders had repeatedly threatened my safety, but the state of California refused to extradite him. This man was so volatile that he even struck his own mother. Despite being a victim of domestic violence, I was threatened with the 'failure to protect' law.

The 'failure to protect' law, federally implemented, often serves to further victimize survivors of domestic violence. Instead of providing safety and support, it punishes them by separating them from their children. The children, in turn, are placed into an already overwhelmed foster care system. In 2019, there were approximately 400,000 children in foster care across the United States, with up to 40% of these children having experienced some type of abuse while in the system.

This law takes a critical and devastating toll, not only on the parent who is struggling to escape violence but also on the innocent children who are thrust into an environment where their well-being may be compromised. The current system fails to recognize the real culprits of domestic violence and unfairly punishes those who seek protection and safety.

Repealing the failure to protect law would not only uphold the rights and dignity of domestic violence survivors but also ensure that children are not unnecessarily placed into foster care when they can remain with a loving parent. We need systemic change to ensure survivors are supported, not further victimized. This includes strengthening protections for domestic violence victims, improving the legal support infrastructure, and offering comprehensive care and prevention programs to break the cycle of abuse.

I urge you to sign this petition to call for the federal repeal of the failure to protect law. Together, we can advocate for a more just and compassionate approach that genuinely supports families and protects vulnerable children from the trauma of unnecessary separation.