Oakland, CA— “The Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence (API-GBV) is grateful for the U.S. Supreme Court decision today in U.S. vs. Rahimi, which upholds the law prohibiting individuals who are restrained by a domestic violence protective order from possessing firearms. Survivors of gender-based violence often have the most to fear and face the biggest challenges to accessing safety when faced with a firearm by someone who has a documented history of causing harm. In Asian/Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, more than half the cases that involve homicide with a firearm stem from domestic violence and therefore this ruling rightfully affirms firearm regulation as a priority.” states Monica Khant, CEO of API-GBV.
Firearms in the hands of abusers escalate the lethality of domestic violence, endangering not only immediate victims but entire families and communities. Through this 8-1 majority ruling, the Court affirms the importance of safety and protection for all individuals, particularly those from vulnerable communities. The Court recognized what survivor advocates fully know about the important role that domestic violence protective orders can play as part of a larger safety plan for survivors of domestic violence.
For those experiencing domestic violence in AAPI communities, victim advocacy organizations provide critical support in guiding survivors through safety planning and obtaining protective orders if needed. At API-GBV, we remain committed to culturally-competent organizations and linguistically-accessible services that meet the unique needs of AAPI survivors within our communities. Our efforts are bolstered by the understanding that culturally-relevant support is essential in addressing the root causes of violence and fostering survivor and community healing.
While today’s ruling represents a significant victory, it also underscores ongoing challenges in safeguarding survivors and preventing gender-based violence. We continue to advocate tirelessly for policies that prioritize survivor safety and justice, rejecting any rollback of protections.
Resources:
To contact us, please visit api-gbv.org or email info@api-gbv.org.
- API-GBV’s Gun Violence and Domestic Violence (DV) in the AAPI Community fact sheet
- Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) | Resource Guide for Addressing the Intersection of Domestic Violence and Firearms (justice.gov)
- Resource Guide for Addressing the Intersection of Domestic Violence and Firearms (justice.gov)
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About Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence
The Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV) is a culturally specific national resource center on domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking, and other forms of gender-based violence in Asian/Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. API-GBV envisions a world free of gender-based violence for communities with equal opportunities for all to thrive. For more information about API-GBV, visit www.api-gbv.org.