She Should Still Be Here: Pass TATU’s Law in Missouri
The Issue
Missouri State Legislators, Governor of Missouri, Missouri Department of Social Services, and State Policy Leaders
She should still be here.
Across our nation—and within our own communities—women are losing their lives to preventable acts of violence connected to domestic abuse and access to firearms.
This is not random. This is preventable.
We honor the lives of women who were leaders, mothers, healers, and pillars in their communities:
Nancy Metayer Bowen
Cerina Fairfax
Barbara Deer
Tammy McCollum
Their lives reflect a painful truth:
Too many women are being remembered instead of protected.
Why This Matters in Missouri
Missouri continues to rank among the states most impacted by domestic violence, dating violence, gender-based violence, and gun violence.
Survivors across urban and rural communities face:
- Gaps in legal protection
- Limited shelter access and long waitlists
- Fragmented systems that often retraumatize rather than support healing
- Barriers to safety when firearms are involved in abusive situations
As a survivor of domestic violence and gun violence, I understand this reality not as theory, but as lived experience.
I am here because I survived. Many women do not get that chance.
The Urgent Reality We Cannot Ignore
When an abusive partner has access to a firearm, the risk of homicide increases significantly.
Yet Missouri still faces critical gaps:
- No consistent enforcement of firearm removal in domestic violence cases
- Delays in protection order response
- Limited protections for dating partners
- Insufficient coordination between systems meant to protect survivors
These gaps cost lives.
This Is Why TATU’s Law Is Necessary
Missouri must move beyond reactive systems that respond after tragedy.
We need a proactive, survivor-centered framework that protects life before it is lost.
This petition calls for statewide policy reform that centers survivor dignity, safety, and long-term healing—while strengthening the programs and partnerships already serving communities across Missouri.
What Is TATU’s Law
TATU’s Law is a survivor-led, trauma-informed policy reform framework created in Missouri by Atara Estes, a survivor of domestic violence and gun violence and a longtime advocate for community-centered healing.
TATU’s Law does not seek to replace existing services or create new state agencies.
It calls for reforming laws, funding priorities, and system coordination so survivors are protected without being silenced, blamed, or retraumatized.
This is not a service delivery program.
It is a policy and funding reform model grounded in lived experience and community wisdom.
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.
It was born from a life that could have ended—but did not.
For survivors across Missouri, the semicolon represents a powerful truth:
We are not finished.
Survivorship is not a period.
It is a continuation.
Why Missouri Needs TATU’s Law
- Missouri consistently ranks high in domestic violence and gun-related homicides
- Survivors encounter unsafe reporting pathways and limited shelter capacity
- Rural and underserved communities face additional barriers to care
- Children impacted by violence are often overlooked in recovery
- Survivor-led and community-based supports remain underfunded
Missouri needs a coordinated, trauma-informed, survivor-led approach to prevention, protection, and healing.
Core Pillars of TATU’s Law (Missouri)
1. Survivor-Centered Legal Reform
Reform state laws to prioritize survivor safety, civil protections, and accountability without retraumatizing survivors.
2. Emergency Safety and Housing Access
Expand funding for shelters, emergency housing, and SafeNight-style placements, especially in rural areas.
3. Trauma-Informed Emotional and Behavioral Health
Support nonclinical, culturally responsive care alongside clinical services.
4. Recovery and Family Stabilization
Invest in housing stability, food access, transportation, and family-centered support systems.
5. Community Health Workers and Peer Advocacy
Strengthen CHW and survivor-led models as essential components of prevention and long-term recovery.
Urgent Policy Protections That Must Be Included
To prevent further loss of life, Missouri must implement:
Immediate Safety Protections
- Mandatory firearm surrender in domestic violence cases
- Verified enforcement of weapon removal
- Timely execution of protection orders
Expanded Legal Protection
- Inclusion of dating partners in domestic violence protections
- Early intervention when threats escalate
- High-risk lethality assessments
System Accountability and Coordination
- Stronger coordination across courts, law enforcement, shelters, and advocates
- Survivor-centered safety planning
- Increased funding for community-based and faith-based programs
What We Are Asking Missouri Leaders to Do
We call on Missouri legislators, state agencies, and partner institutions to:
- Adopt survivor-informed, trauma-aware standards across state policies
- Reform funding structures to support long-term healing—not just crisis response
- Strengthen coordination among shelters, nonprofits, faith communities, and CHWs
- Center survivor voices in legislative and budgetary decisions
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 preventable loss.
Missouri has the opportunity to lead by choosing reform over silence and protection over delay.
Call to Action
If you believe Missouri must do better for survivors, children, and families impacted by violence—
Add your name to this petition.
Your signature supports:
- Stronger protections for women at risk
- Survivor-led policy reform
- Increased accountability across systems
- A safer future for Missouri communities
Closing Declaration
We honor their lives.
We continue their legacy.
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
📧 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
Global advocates: Call for worldwide reform → TATU’s Law (Global)
https://c.org/wPcnYmmHwy
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The Issue
Missouri State Legislators, Governor of Missouri, Missouri Department of Social Services, and State Policy Leaders
She should still be here.
Across our nation—and within our own communities—women are losing their lives to preventable acts of violence connected to domestic abuse and access to firearms.
This is not random. This is preventable.
We honor the lives of women who were leaders, mothers, healers, and pillars in their communities:
Nancy Metayer Bowen
Cerina Fairfax
Barbara Deer
Tammy McCollum
Their lives reflect a painful truth:
Too many women are being remembered instead of protected.
Why This Matters in Missouri
Missouri continues to rank among the states most impacted by domestic violence, dating violence, gender-based violence, and gun violence.
Survivors across urban and rural communities face:
- Gaps in legal protection
- Limited shelter access and long waitlists
- Fragmented systems that often retraumatize rather than support healing
- Barriers to safety when firearms are involved in abusive situations
As a survivor of domestic violence and gun violence, I understand this reality not as theory, but as lived experience.
I am here because I survived. Many women do not get that chance.
The Urgent Reality We Cannot Ignore
When an abusive partner has access to a firearm, the risk of homicide increases significantly.
Yet Missouri still faces critical gaps:
- No consistent enforcement of firearm removal in domestic violence cases
- Delays in protection order response
- Limited protections for dating partners
- Insufficient coordination between systems meant to protect survivors
These gaps cost lives.
This Is Why TATU’s Law Is Necessary
Missouri must move beyond reactive systems that respond after tragedy.
We need a proactive, survivor-centered framework that protects life before it is lost.
This petition calls for statewide policy reform that centers survivor dignity, safety, and long-term healing—while strengthening the programs and partnerships already serving communities across Missouri.
What Is TATU’s Law
TATU’s Law is a survivor-led, trauma-informed policy reform framework created in Missouri by Atara Estes, a survivor of domestic violence and gun violence and a longtime advocate for community-centered healing.
TATU’s Law does not seek to replace existing services or create new state agencies.
It calls for reforming laws, funding priorities, and system coordination so survivors are protected without being silenced, blamed, or retraumatized.
This is not a service delivery program.
It is a policy and funding reform model grounded in lived experience and community wisdom.
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.
It was born from a life that could have ended—but did not.
For survivors across Missouri, the semicolon represents a powerful truth:
We are not finished.
Survivorship is not a period.
It is a continuation.
Why Missouri Needs TATU’s Law
- Missouri consistently ranks high in domestic violence and gun-related homicides
- Survivors encounter unsafe reporting pathways and limited shelter capacity
- Rural and underserved communities face additional barriers to care
- Children impacted by violence are often overlooked in recovery
- Survivor-led and community-based supports remain underfunded
Missouri needs a coordinated, trauma-informed, survivor-led approach to prevention, protection, and healing.
Core Pillars of TATU’s Law (Missouri)
1. Survivor-Centered Legal Reform
Reform state laws to prioritize survivor safety, civil protections, and accountability without retraumatizing survivors.
2. Emergency Safety and Housing Access
Expand funding for shelters, emergency housing, and SafeNight-style placements, especially in rural areas.
3. Trauma-Informed Emotional and Behavioral Health
Support nonclinical, culturally responsive care alongside clinical services.
4. Recovery and Family Stabilization
Invest in housing stability, food access, transportation, and family-centered support systems.
5. Community Health Workers and Peer Advocacy
Strengthen CHW and survivor-led models as essential components of prevention and long-term recovery.
Urgent Policy Protections That Must Be Included
To prevent further loss of life, Missouri must implement:
Immediate Safety Protections
- Mandatory firearm surrender in domestic violence cases
- Verified enforcement of weapon removal
- Timely execution of protection orders
Expanded Legal Protection
- Inclusion of dating partners in domestic violence protections
- Early intervention when threats escalate
- High-risk lethality assessments
System Accountability and Coordination
- Stronger coordination across courts, law enforcement, shelters, and advocates
- Survivor-centered safety planning
- Increased funding for community-based and faith-based programs
What We Are Asking Missouri Leaders to Do
We call on Missouri legislators, state agencies, and partner institutions to:
- Adopt survivor-informed, trauma-aware standards across state policies
- Reform funding structures to support long-term healing—not just crisis response
- Strengthen coordination among shelters, nonprofits, faith communities, and CHWs
- Center survivor voices in legislative and budgetary decisions
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 preventable loss.
Missouri has the opportunity to lead by choosing reform over silence and protection over delay.
Call to Action
If you believe Missouri must do better for survivors, children, and families impacted by violence—
Add your name to this petition.
Your signature supports:
- Stronger protections for women at risk
- Survivor-led policy reform
- Increased accountability across systems
- A safer future for Missouri communities
Closing Declaration
We honor their lives.
We continue their legacy.
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
📧 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
Global advocates: Call for worldwide reform → TATU’s Law (Global)
https://c.org/wPcnYmmHwy
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
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Petition created on August 6, 2025