This winter, we’re pushing to #StopTheShock in 2022 with the end of year omnibus bill. [[link removed]] An omnibus bill is a bill that covers a lot of different ways the government will spend money, so we are able to talk about things like this ban.

On December 7, 2022 ASAN held a virtual hill day, encouraging self advocates across the country to set up virtual meetings with their Members of Congress on the same day and demand that Congress include a ban on the use of electric skin shock devices in the end of year omnibus bill.

We asked you to make sure Congress heard from you, and now we want to hear from you too! If you participated in our virtual hill day, met with your legislators on a different day, [[link removed]] called them directly or using our proxy system [[link removed]] , or encouraged others to reach out supporting the ban, we want to know!

Reach out to our Programs Coordinator Alex Grandstaff at [email protected] [[email protected]] with your story on how you’ve demanded that Congress work to #StoptheShock. You can also post about talking to your Members of Congress on social media using the hashtag #StoptheShock to join the conversation.

If you haven’t contacted your Members of Congress yet, there’s still time!

Here are some of the ways you can make an impact:

Call your members of Congress. Ask them to include a ban on electric shock torture in the omnibus bill. You can use our script:

My name is [your full name] , and I am from [your city] . I am a constituent of Senator/Representative [NAME] . I’m calling to ask Senator/Representative [NAME] to include language in the omnibus bill 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. Congress has the power to stop electric shock torture by including this ban in the omnibus bill. Can I count on Senator/Representative [NAME]’s support to include a ban in the end of year omnibus bill?

Organize a virtual or in person meeting with your representative.
These meetings have the greatest impact in terms of making your concerns heard. Review our Hill Day training with more info and live roleplays here. [[link removed]] Our guide walks you through meeting [[link removed]] with your legislators’ staff one-on-one even if you can’t visit their office.

Encourage others to support #StoptheShock. Many people are unaware of the inhumane usage of skin shock devices on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Share this email with colleagues, friends, and family and encourage them to contact their legislators to Stop the Shock.

The people subjected to the device should not have to wait one more day. We’re grateful that you’re joining in the call on Congress to #StoptheShock.


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