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To the Editor,

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For me, this issue is personal.

I am a survivor of domestic violence. I know what it means to live with fear and uncertainty, and I know that leaving doesn’t mean the fear ends. I also know how important it is for survivors to be believed, supported, and protected.

Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, or background. When a gun is present, it can turn a dangerous situation into a deadly one. Research shows that when an abusive partner has access to a firearm, a woman is five times more likely to be killed. Every month in America, more than 70 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner. These aren’t just statistics. They are real people with children, families, and friends who loved them, people whose lives mattered and who deserved the chance to survive.

That’s why I’m proud to have earned the endorsement of Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund. I’ve spent years advocating for gun violence prevention, and as a legislator, I’ll continue supporting commonsense laws that keep firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers and protect survivors.

But laws are only part of the answer. We also need to fund strong services for survivors, safe places to go, and a system that takes threats seriously and responds when someone asks for help.

This month, I’m thinking about those who are still living in fear, those rebuilding their lives, and those we have lost.

I survived. Others deserve that same chance.

Tiffani McGinnis
West Hartford Town Councilor
Candidate for State Representative, 18th District