She Should Still Be Here: Adopt TATU’s Law to Protect Women and End Preventable Violence
The Issue
U.S. Lawmakers, State Legislators, Governors, and Global Policy Leaders
She should still be here.
In just a matter of weeks, we have witnessed the devastating loss of powerful women—leaders, mothers, healers—whose lives were taken in acts of violence connected to domestic abuse and access to firearms.
This is not random. This is preventable.
We say their names with honor and urgency:
- Nancy Metayer Bowen
- Cerina Fairfax
- Barbara Deer
- Tammy McCollum
These women were pillars in their communities. They were building lives, leading with purpose, and serving others.
They should still be here.
Why This Matters
As a survivor of domestic violence and gun violence, I understand this reality not as a distant issue, but as a lived experience.
I am here because I survived.
Many women do not get that chance.
Too often, systems respond only after tragedy has occurred—after lives have been lost, families have been shattered, and communities are left searching for answers.
Protection delayed is protection denied.
The Urgent Reality We Cannot Ignore
When an abusive partner has access to a firearm, the risk of homicide increases significantly. Women—particularly Black women—are disproportionately impacted by domestic violence and firearm-related deaths.
Most victims are harmed by someone they know and trust.
Yet critical gaps remain:
- Weak or inconsistent enforcement of protective orders
- Lack of firearm surrender requirements or verification
- Limited protection for dating partners
- Delayed intervention in high-risk situations
- Insufficient coordination between systems meant to protect survivors
These gaps cost lives.
This Is Why TATU’s Law Is Necessary
Across the world, survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, gender-based violence, and gun violence continue to face systems that fail to protect them, silence their voices, and neglect long-term healing.
While many countries have laws addressing violence, too often these systems focus on punishment after harm has occurred rather than prevention, survivor dignity, coordinated care, and sustained recovery. Survivors, children, and families are left navigating fragmented responses, unsafe environments, and limited access to meaningful support.
This petition calls for policy reform that centers survivor dignity, safety, and long-term healing.
What Is TATU’s Law
TATU’s Law is a survivor-led, trauma-informed global framework created by Atara Estes, a survivor of domestic violence and gun violence.
Originally developed in the United States, TATU’s Law is designed to be adapted across communities and cultures to reform policies that perpetuate harm and to strengthen systems that support survivors.
TATU’s Law does not replace existing services.
It strengthens them through alignment, accountability, and survivor-informed standards.
This is not a program.
It is a framework for reform, protection, and healing.
Why the Semicolon Matters
In grammar, a semicolon is used when an author could have ended a sentence, but chose not to.
TATU’s Law carries that same meaning.
This framework was born from a life that could have ended—but did not.
For survivors, the semicolon represents something sacred:
We are not finished.
Survivorship is not a period.
It is a continuation.
Core Pillars of TATU’s Law
1. Survivor-Centered Legal Protection and Accountability
Advocate for laws that prioritize survivor safety, dignity, and access to justice without retraumatizing processes.
2. Coordinated Safety Through Trusted Partnerships
Support policies that fund emergency housing, safe placements, and survivor-choice safety planning.
3. Emotional and Behavioral Health Refore
Shift responses toward trauma-informed, culturally responsive, nonclinical support alongside clinical care.
4. Long-Term Recovery and Family Stabilization
Advocate for funding that supports housing stability, food access, transportation, and family support systems.
5. Community Health Worker and Peer-Led Models
Elevate CHWs, survivor advocates, and peer-led approaches as essential to prevention and healing.
Urgent Policy Protections That Must Be Included
To prevent further loss of life, we call for immediate adoption of protections aligned with TATU’s Law, including:
Immediate Safety Protections
- Mandatory firearm surrender in domestic violence cases
- Verified enforcement and documentation of weapon removal
Timely execution of protection orders
Expanded Legal Protection
- Inclusion of dating partners within domestic violence protections
- Early intervention when threats or patterns of abuse are identified
- High-risk lethality assessments in domestic violence cases
System Accountability and Coordination
- Strengthened coordination between courts, law enforcement, and advocacy organizations
- Survivor-centered safety planning
- Increased funding for community-based, faith-based, and survivor-led support
Why Action Cannot Wait
Too many women are being remembered instead of protected.
Too many warning signs are ignored until it is too late.
Too many families are left grieving losses that could have been prevented.
We cannot continue to accept a system that reacts only after lives are taken.
Call to Action
If you believe that women deserve to live safely,
If you believe that protection should come before tragedy,
If you believe that systems must do better—
Add your name to this petition.
Your signature supports:
Stronger protections for women at risk
Survivor-led policy reform
Increased accountability across systems
A future where fewer lives are lost to preventable violence
Closing Declaration
We say their names.
We honor their lives.
But we will not stop at remembrance.
We demand change.
Because the next woman deserves to live.
Petition Creator
Atara Estes
Survivor Advocate | Community Health Worker Strategist
Founder, TATU Your Wellbeing & Sound the Alarm Outreach
📧 tatuyourwellbeing@gmail.com
🌐 https://www.ataraestes.com
Take Action at Every Level
St. Louis residents: Support local reform → TATU’s Law (St. Louis)
https://c.org/2hcwMr5mxT
Missouri residents: Support statewide reform → TATU’s Law (Missouri)
https://c.org/6fnCZvbsxY
4
The Issue
U.S. Lawmakers, State Legislators, Governors, and Global Policy Leaders
She should still be here.
In just a matter of weeks, we have witnessed the devastating loss of powerful women—leaders, mothers, healers—whose lives were taken in acts of violence connected to domestic abuse and access to firearms.
This is not random. This is preventable.
We say their names with honor and urgency:
- Nancy Metayer Bowen
- Cerina Fairfax
- Barbara Deer
- Tammy McCollum
These women were pillars in their communities. They were building lives, leading with purpose, and serving others.
They should still be here.
Why This Matters
As a survivor of domestic violence and gun violence, I understand this reality not as a distant issue, but as a lived experience.
I am here because I survived.
Many women do not get that chance.
Too often, systems respond only after tragedy has occurred—after lives have been lost, families have been shattered, and communities are left searching for answers.
Protection delayed is protection denied.
The Urgent Reality We Cannot Ignore
When an abusive partner has access to a firearm, the risk of homicide increases significantly. Women—particularly Black women—are disproportionately impacted by domestic violence and firearm-related deaths.
Most victims are harmed by someone they know and trust.
Yet critical gaps remain:
- Weak or inconsistent enforcement of protective orders
- Lack of firearm surrender requirements or verification
- Limited protection for dating partners
- Delayed intervention in high-risk situations
- Insufficient coordination between systems meant to protect survivors
These gaps cost lives.
This Is Why TATU’s Law Is Necessary
Across the world, survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, gender-based violence, and gun violence continue to face systems that fail to protect them, silence their voices, and neglect long-term healing.
While many countries have laws addressing violence, too often these systems focus on punishment after harm has occurred rather than prevention, survivor dignity, coordinated care, and sustained recovery. Survivors, children, and families are left navigating fragmented responses, unsafe environments, and limited access to meaningful support.
This petition calls for policy reform that centers survivor dignity, safety, and long-term healing.
What Is TATU’s Law
TATU’s Law is a survivor-led, trauma-informed global framework created by Atara Estes, a survivor of domestic violence and gun violence.
Originally developed in the United States, TATU’s Law is designed to be adapted across communities and cultures to reform policies that perpetuate harm and to strengthen systems that support survivors.
TATU’s Law does not replace existing services.
It strengthens them through alignment, accountability, and survivor-informed standards.
This is not a program.
It is a framework for reform, protection, and healing.
Why the Semicolon Matters
In grammar, a semicolon is used when an author could have ended a sentence, but chose not to.
TATU’s Law carries that same meaning.
This framework was born from a life that could have ended—but did not.
For survivors, the semicolon represents something sacred:
We are not finished.
Survivorship is not a period.
It is a continuation.
Core Pillars of TATU’s Law
1. Survivor-Centered Legal Protection and Accountability
Advocate for laws that prioritize survivor safety, dignity, and access to justice without retraumatizing processes.
2. Coordinated Safety Through Trusted Partnerships
Support policies that fund emergency housing, safe placements, and survivor-choice safety planning.
3. Emotional and Behavioral Health Refore
Shift responses toward trauma-informed, culturally responsive, nonclinical support alongside clinical care.
4. Long-Term Recovery and Family Stabilization
Advocate for funding that supports housing stability, food access, transportation, and family support systems.
5. Community Health Worker and Peer-Led Models
Elevate CHWs, survivor advocates, and peer-led approaches as essential to prevention and healing.
Urgent Policy Protections That Must Be Included
To prevent further loss of life, we call for immediate adoption of protections aligned with TATU’s Law, including:
Immediate Safety Protections
- Mandatory firearm surrender in domestic violence cases
- Verified enforcement and documentation of weapon removal
Timely execution of protection orders
Expanded Legal Protection
- Inclusion of dating partners within domestic violence protections
- Early intervention when threats or patterns of abuse are identified
- High-risk lethality assessments in domestic violence cases
System Accountability and Coordination
- Strengthened coordination between courts, law enforcement, and advocacy organizations
- Survivor-centered safety planning
- Increased funding for community-based, faith-based, and survivor-led support
Why Action Cannot Wait
Too many women are being remembered instead of protected.
Too many warning signs are ignored until it is too late.
Too many families are left grieving losses that could have been prevented.
We cannot continue to accept a system that reacts only after lives are taken.
Call to Action
If you believe that women deserve to live safely,
If you believe that protection should come before tragedy,
If you believe that systems must do better—
Add your name to this petition.
Your signature supports:
Stronger protections for women at risk
Survivor-led policy reform
Increased accountability across systems
A future where fewer lives are lost to preventable violence
Closing Declaration
We say their names.
We honor their lives.
But we will not stop at remembrance.
We demand change.
Because the next woman deserves to live.
Petition Creator
Atara Estes
Survivor Advocate | Community Health Worker Strategist
Founder, TATU Your Wellbeing & Sound the Alarm Outreach
📧 tatuyourwellbeing@gmail.com
🌐 https://www.ataraestes.com
Take Action at Every Level
St. Louis residents: Support local reform → TATU’s Law (St. Louis)
https://c.org/2hcwMr5mxT
Missouri residents: Support statewide reform → TATU’s Law (Missouri)
https://c.org/6fnCZvbsxY
Petition Updates
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Petition created on August 6, 2025