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criminal legal system

The criminal legal system describes policing, prosecution, courts, and corrections in the United States. We use the term “criminal legal system” instead of the more traditional “criminal justice system,” because these systems do not reliably deliver justice.

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Taking Back Power: Annie Faces an NDA

A cartoon drawing of a woman of color with the words: "You Are Not Alone" in a speech bubble

This comic strip explores a scenario in which a woman is asked to sign an NDA after reporting her supervisor for sexual harassment.

Resources

How Medical Providers are Navigating the Post-Roe Abortion Landscape

Two doctors talk while looking at an iPad

How do doctors navigate abortion care in states with abortion bans and restrictions?

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Pregnancy as a Crime Post-Dobbs: A Preliminary Report

handcuffs laying on fingerprints chart

Fetal personhood laws and other abortion restrictions play a significant role in the criminalization of pregnancy.

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ICE Violence, Eating Disorders, and Harm Reduction in the Face of Authoritarianism

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building with a woman passing by

Indigenous activist Gloria Lucas discusses how state violence contributes to disordered eating in undocumented and indigenous communities.

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How Prisons Use Menstruation as a Form of Punishment

A mural of faces with red bananas across the eyes

This oral history project shows how prisons weaponize menstruation -- violating the right to menstruate with dignity and making menstrual products inaccessible to those who are incarcerated.

Stories & Conversations

Writer and Artist Chanel Miller on Surviving, Identity, and Activism

A headshot of Chanel Miller

Chanel Miller describes finding support as a survivor of sexual violence and how central creating art has been central to her journey of healing. She also discusses racism and the need to reform the criminal justice system for the sake of survivors.

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Deepening the Divide: Abortion Bans Further Harm Immigrant Communities

Immigrant women protesting

Abortion bans criminalize immigrant communities and make it more difficult for immigrants in detention to receive timely reproductive health care. This fact sheet discusses why, and how we can improve immigrants' access to services.

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Criminalization of Pregnancy Has Already Been Happening

A woman in a hospital gown cries in a hallway

Abortion bans criminalize pregnant people. This NPR piece explains how, and traces the history of criminalizing pregnancy over the last 50 years.

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Jailed and Pregnant: What the Roe Repeal Means for Incarcerated People

A black and white photo of handcuffed hands holding prison bars

What are the consequences of the Dobbs decision on incarcerated people? This Q&A fact sheet reviews the availability of reproductive health care in prisons and jails.

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How I Became an Advocate for Sex Workers' Rights

A protest. Centered is a large purple sign that says, "Decriminalize Sex Worker Safety First" in hot pink and highlighter green. The sign is held by 3 women. Behind are people holding other signs that read: "Sex Work is Work" and "Stop Police Raids. Consenting Sex is Not a Crime!" Some people standing around are holding red umbrellas.

African feminist and writer Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah discusses the evolution of her views on sex work.

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Race, Gender-based Violence, and Criminalization

The hands of a Black woman in handcuffs in front of her. She is wearing an orange jumpsuit.

This fact sheet by the National Black Women’s Justice Institute discusses gender-based violence and the criminalization of Black women and girls.

Stories & Conversations

Dirty Business: Lack of Menstrual Equity in Colombian Prisons

Toallas carcel 3

I worked as a teacher and coach in a medium security prison in Sogamoso, Colombia. I have seen many shocking things in my work Particularly upsetting is the paltry number of menstrual pads (about 25 per year) that women inmates receive.