Big props to Jessica Gonzales, of Colorado, and the ACLU for introducing the first individual complaint against the US brought before any international human rights body. The charge? Gonzales’ domestic violence protection claim was denied by the US Supreme Court. Well, you may be saying, surely it was an outrageous claim like domestic abusers must wear big pink shock collars with really loud bells attached. No. Gonzales’ petition asserts that domestic violence victims have a right to state protection from their abusers.

The Supreme Court ruled that nowhere in the Constitution does it say that victims are entitled to enforcement of their protective orders. WHAT!?!?

Gonzales brought the case to the court after her three children were murdered by her estranged husband when local police refused to enforce her restraining order. Maybe its just me, but it seems like such laws are written to be enforced. Oh wait, I forgot that we live in a patriarchal society. My bad. Loot on, brothers!

SOURCE: Asheville Global Report

[tags]anti-oppression, feminism, sexism, domestic abuse, human rights[/tags]