Safety Perceptions by Environment

Unsafe (1–2)

Not Fully Safe (3–4)

Very Safe (5)

Overall	9.5%	78.6%	11.9%
Online / Social	40.5%	50.8%	8.7%
Public Events	17.5%	70.6%	11.9%
Capitol	7.1%	45.2%	47.6%
Community	8.7%	68.3%	23.0%
At Home	9.5%	54.0%	36.5%

Awareness of Safety Protocols

55.6%

Yes

26.2%

18.3%

Unsure

Impact of Harm on Governance

58.6%

said harm interfered with their ability to do their job — nearly 6 in 10

32.5%

said harm affected their desire to continue serving — 1 in 3 reconsidering

Experiences of Harm

Insults or demeaning comments

63.5%

Harassment or bullying

50.8%

Threats of violence

40.5%

Stalking and intimidation

38.1%

Doxxing (personal info leaked)

21.4%

Vandalism / property damage

13.5%

Physical attacks

6.3%

Frequency of Harm Experienced

Type	Monthly	Weekly
Work undermined by harassment	71.4%	49.0%
Hate speech	40.6%	24.0%
Identity-based targeting	37.5%	26.6%
Sexualized comments	26.0%	13.5%
Direct threats	17.7%	9.4%
Threats to family	10.9%	3.6%

Trainings Legislators Say Will Be Most Helpful

Threat assessment & reporting

51.6%

De-escalation techniques

42.9%

Mental health & stress management

38.1%

Self-defense training

38.9%

Cybersecurity best practices

35.7%

Institutional Safety Gaps
Lack of training on handling threats
53%
No panic button to report incidents
46%
Lack of clear reporting procedures
42%
Inadequate technological solutions
40%
Buildings feel too exposed
39%
Limited mental health support
37%
Inadequate leadership support
30%
Insufficient security personnel
24%
Insufficient legal support
21%
Poor coordination w/ law enforcement
20%

Support Legislators Experience

Insufficiently Supported

Completely Supported

Constituents / Public	80.0%	20.0%
Other Legislators	67.2%	32.8%
Legislative Leadership	58.4%	41.6%
Law Enforcement	48.8%	51.2%
Family & Friends	43.2%	56.8%

Citation

Ghosh Innovation Lab. 2025. "Confronting Harm: Experiences and Strategies from U.S. Women State Legislators on the Frontlines of Political Violence." Mercer Island, WA: Ghosh Innovation Lab. https://ghoshinnovationlab.org/confrontingharm2025-factsheet/ (Accessed [DATE])

Confronting Harm · Data Sheet