Criminal justice Quote by Joe Biden
““Acknowledging that a woman's right to be safe from a gender-based attack was a "civil right," I believed, was critically important in changing the American consciousness. When a right reaches the status and categorization of a "civil right," it means the nation has arrived at a consensus that is nonnegotiable. Violence against women would no longer be written off ... Once our criminal justice system -- at the local, state and federal levels -- recognized these as serious and inexcusable crimes, women could stop blaming themselves.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Violence Against Women, United States, 2022
Recognizing safety from gender‑based violence as a civil right shifts national consensus, making such violence non‑negotiable and prompting legal systems to treat it as a serious crime.
In simple terms: Treating women’s safety as a civil right changes law and attitudes.
Support and enforce protections for women.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legislative advocacy
- community education
- support services
- policy making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies ensure enforcement?
- What role do individuals play in cultural change?
Implementation varies; cultural resistance may persist.