Historically, women are in a worse position than men in the criminal justice system. Many women have suffered domestic violence, sexual abuse, or human trafficking. After prolonged periods of trauma, women respond to their attacker, particularly after physical and verbal threats are made to their children, and the legal system revictimizes those who react to their attacker.

 Approximately 72% of the first-time female offenders in Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women who were convicted of a violent crime were previously abused by the victim of the crime for which they were serving their sentences. We ask that you join our call for change.