For decades, the disability community has worked to ban the use of electric shock torture at the Judge Rotenberg Center. The JRC, where most of the “students” are Black and brown, is the only institution in the United States that still uses this practice, something the United Nations classified as torture in 2013. Thanks to your advocacy, we’ve seen the FDA finalize regulations that banned the manufacture, distribution, and use of skin shock devices. But in an infuriating decision, the ban was overturned last year [[link removed]] , leaving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities still subject to electric shocks to control their behavior.

But the fight is not over. Congress has the power to ban electric shock torture through FDA-related bills. The House just passed its version [[link removed]] , and now it’s time for the Senate to act. The FDA Amendments Act (House version) or FDASLA (Senate version) reauthorizes FDA user fees, which are payments from drug and medical device manufacturers to the FDA that help cover the costs of drug and device regulations. The House’s version of this bill contains language banning the use of electric shocks as a method of behavioral control. The Senate still needs to add language banning the use of electric shock. The Judge Rotenberg Center is lobbying to remove the ban from the bill — so we have to work just as hard to keep it in [[link removed]] .

It’s been 8 years since the FDA's expert panel ruled that the JRC's electric shock devices are inevitably harmful. The people subjected to the device shouldn't have to wait one more day – in order to end this torturous practice, we need a complete ban, and we need it quickly. We need the Senate to pass their FDA bill with language that bans electric shock torture included.

Here’s what you can do to reach crucial targets and make your voice heard:

* Call your two Senators. Ask them to include a ban on electric shock torture in their version of the bill, the FDA Safety and Landmark Advancements Act.

You can use our script:

My name is [your full name] , and I am from [your city] . I am a constituent of Senator [NAME] . I’m calling to ask Senator [NAME] to help amend the FDASLA Act to add language that would completely ban the use of electric shock for behavior modification. Only one institution in the country still uses electric shocks this way, and the UN found the practice to be torture in 2013. The FDA banned this use of electric shocks in 2020, but the DC Circuit Court overturned the ban on a technicality. The Senate has the power to stop electric shock torture by amending the FDASLA Act to include a ban. Can I count on the Senator’s support for an amendment?

Want to make a call, but unable to speak on a phone call due to a disability? [[link removed]] Our Proxy Calling system is open! [[link removed]] Want to help someone else make a call? Consider signing up [[link removed]] to be a proxy caller.

Have call anxiety, or wondering what to expect from a call to your elected officials? Check out this guide to making a call to your members of Congress. [[link removed]]

We know our fight to end torture at the JRC has been long and difficult, but it’s not too late to make change on this crucial issue. With your help, we can make sure our elected officials ban electric shock torture completely. Your advocacy is what has gotten us to where we are today, and your advocacy is what will make sure we #StopTheShock for good. [[link removed]]


Autistic Self Advocacy Network
PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035
United States
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