Thread by @TheJFreakinC

Republicans have been talking a lot about policies that failed to keep Iryna Zarutska safe.

So, since they suddenly care about women’s safety…

Let’s talk about all the policies, they’ve pushed, that make it harder for women to not be murdered every single day. 🧵

Domestic violence is the most lethal threat to women—literally. In the U.S., an estimated 4,000 women die each year at the hands of an intimate partner… that’s more than three women every single day.

So what kinds of policies make all this worse?

Let’s go through them…

Guns in domestic violence situations:

-Republicans have blocked efforts to close the “boyfriend loophole,” which would prevent abusive dating partners (not just spouses) from legally owning guns.

-Many GOP states resist “red-flag” laws, which allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from known abusers.

These both let dangerous abusers retain lethal power.

And a firearm in a domestic violence incident increases the risk of murder by 500%.

No paid leave for survivors:

Survivors often need time off to get to court, relocate safely, or recover mentally and physically. But Republicans consistently oppose paid family leave… including protections for domestic violence survivors.

Cuts to safety-net programs:

Programs like SNAP, TANF, and housing assistance are lifelines for survivors trying to leave. Yet, GOP lawmakers repeatedly push cuts and add burdensome requirements… making escape even harder.

Weakening VAWA (Violence Against Women Act):

While originally bipartisan, recent Republican opposition has targeted reauthorization… especially the expansion of protections for LGBTQ survivors, Native women, and undocumented persons.

That means fewer shelters, funds, and meaningful support.

Tenant protections and housing policies:

In GOP-led states, preemption laws have blocked cities from creating tenant protections. Survivors are more likely to face eviction or homelessness if they try to escape an abusive home.

Blocking immigration protections for survivors:

Visas like the U-visa empower undocumented survivors to come forward without fear of deportation. Republicans have long resisted expanding such protections, leaving many trapped.

Reproductive control and abortion bans:

Abusers often use pregnancy as a form of control, forcing victims to continue pregnancies can keep them tethered to abusers. GOP-backed restrictions trap women in oppressive dynamics.

Family court “shared custody” defaults:

Even with documented abuse, some Republican states default to shared custody. That forces survivors into ongoing contact with abusers under the guise of fairness.

Slashing legal aid funding:

Leaving an abuser often requires navigating complex legal systems… survivors frequently cannot afford lawyers. Yet, Republicans consistently reduce funding for legal assistance.

Republicans don’t get to posture as protectors of women while gutting the very policies that keep women alive.

Their outrage isn’t about safety. It’s about weaponizing one case to scapegoat communities of color… while the real threats to women go unchecked.