A woman shouldn’t have to co-parent with the man who raped her

[jpak]

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/02/27/opinion/a-woman-shouldnt-have-to-co-parent-with-the-man-who-raped-her/

Under current Maine law, when a pregnancy results from a sexual assault, very few legal protections exist for a woman who wants to terminate the parental rights of the person who raped her.

A bill before the legislature sponsored by Sen. Bill Diamond, LD 1477, “An Act To Protect Victims of Sexual Assault,” would help reduce barriers for victims of sexual assault who wish to raise their child and have the parental rights of the person who raped them terminated.

Each year 5 percent of female victims between the ages of 12 and 45 become pregnant as a result of rape, with an estimated 32,000 pregnancies annually nationwide. As though the trauma and repercussions of sexual violence are not enough, such victims are also forced to make a complex and difficult personal decision: terminate their pregnancy, make an adoption plan or raise a child conceived from rape.

A woman’s decision to raise a child conceived from rape should not come with the additional burden of having to co-parent with the man who raped her. Men who father children through rape should be prevented from causing further harm to their victim.

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[TreasonousBastard]

1. That's some nasty choices to put someone through...

I'd be leaning toward giving the woman the option of having the rapist pay for the kid while having absolutely no parental rights. Maybe better would be a fund rapists pay into that the children of their victims can tap into.

Rape may be a special kind of crime, but it is still a crime and crime victims shouldn't be forced to pay for the damages.

[Maru Kitteh]

9. Seriously, WHAT THE HELL?

What "nasty choice" are you talking about? And what the hell "special kind of crime" is rape, and why do you feel the need to qualify it with "but it's still a crime"?

Just really - what the ever-loving-hell.

Expound please.

[TreasonousBastard]

10. The nasty choices are the ones currently demanded by the present law...

And, yes rape is not a property crime, nor is it simply a common physical attack.

It is in a category pretty much all its own. But, it can still borrow from other criminal and civil law to get to an acceptable outcome.

Now that I've said that, I have to say that I have no idea why you are upset with my language-- language you clearly didn't understand as I meant it. We are, amazingly enough, on the same side here.

I think.

[Maru Kitteh]

11. Rape is VERY common and it is a brutal physical attack.

I do not understand what you wish to say.

[TreasonousBastard]

12. I did not say rape is not common and I did not say...

it is not a brutal attack.

I said it is a brutal attack, but with more complexity than other brutal attacks. So, a rape has to be treated differently than, say, a mugging or a bar fight.

What's so hard to understand about that-- it's pretty basic, but these ignorant lawmakers don't seem to get it.

[Solly Mack]

2. K&R

[mgmaggiemg]

3. I think of incest

as a perfect example of how this law would help women....or even if it's a close friend of the family...or no one in particular....but especially in those cases where a woman knows her abuser....this will help tremendously thank-you for posting...

[Omaha Steve]

4. I think it was last year

They tried to change this in Nebraska. It failed. No idea why.

OS

[Takket]

5. Um, why is the rapist even present to parent?

Shouldn't he be in prison?????

[davidn3600]

6. You don't go to prison for life.... Rape is 5-10 years usually in most states

[brer cat]

7. HER choice. period. nt

[Maru Kitteh]

8. This is a question?

FFS. seriously

[awoke_in_2003]

13. K&R

The fact that this is being considered in New England is disturbing