Systems Often Fail to Protect Autonomous People

We’re often told:
“If you just speak up…”
“If you leave…”
“If you fight back…”
“If you call the police…”
“If you file a report…”

…then you’ll be safe.
You’ll be believed.
You’ll be protected.

But for far too many people—especially women, Black women, poor women, disabled women, immigrants, and girls—that’s not the truth.

They do speak up.
They do walk away.
They do gather evidence, tell someone, file a report…

And still?

🟥 The police say there’s not enough evidence.
🟥 The judge gives the abuser a slap on the wrist.
🟥 The school blames the child for “being dramatic.”
🟥 The church tells the woman to “pray and forgive.”
🟥 The family tells her to stay quiet to protect his future.
🟥 The community pressures her to keep the peace.

Even shelters can turn people away.
Even courts can return children to abusive homes.
Even therapists can minimize what Survivors say.

Why?

Because many systems were never truly built to protect the vulnerable. They were built to maintain order, protect reputation, or preserve power—often the power of men, authority figures, or institutions themselves.

So when someone acts in autonomy—when they take brave steps to save themselves or others—systems may not celebrate that strength. They may punish it. Silence it. Or ignore it altogether.

So what now?

We must:

• Stop blaming Survivors for not being “strong enough.”

• Acknowledge that even brave people get hurt.

• Build new systems rooted in justice, care, and accountability.

• Listen when people say, “I tried to get help. No one came.”

And we must hold space for the truth:
💜 Autonomy is sacred.
💜 But it does not guarantee protection.
💜 And that is not the fault of the Survivor.