Dear legislators,
You claim to care about women, yet call us “props” and the “passionate minority” when we dare speak up.
We have logged into every Zoom hearing for Senate Bills 3 and 6 to express, in detail, the dangers these bills will put women in.
Hundreds of women of all races, parties and backgrounds have gathered to rally on The Green, at both the original and the current Legislative Hall.
We’ve shared stories of violent and brutal attacks we have personally suffered, expressing why we so deeply value our ability to protect ourselves.
We have sent emails, made phone calls, attended coffee meetings and tried to meet with those who are set to vote on these bills.
Still, we are ignored, silenced and shamed.
While you use women who have died at the hands of their abusers as actual props to push your legislation forward, we follow the data. We are the statistics. We are the ones who have survived.
The women of Delaware are well-aware that the most dangerous time for a woman is after she leaves an abusive relationship.
By voting for SB 3, you are forcing women to make a choice. Continue to stay, hoping her compliance is enough to appease her abuser, or leave and risk being left defenseless when that abuser feels all control over his victim is lost.
The brave women who dared leave have been beaten with fists and objects, stabbed, run over with cars, set on fire and shot. They lived and are begging you not to leave them without opportunities for protection.
Their abuser will find them. The question is, will your vote give them a chance to survive?
Erin Chronister
Bridgeville
