My Letter to My Congressman, Scott Rigell

This is my letter to my local Congressman. I have not sent it yet, and I am looking for some feedback before it is sent. Keep in mind that I am only focusing on one point in the bill. I understand that there are many other issues littered throughout this bill. I chose to focus on this one because I feel the issue of violence against women is one that hopefully people who are pro-life and pro-choice can agree upon. They have to.

Dear Scott Rigell,

I am writing this letter to plead with you to consider very carefully any decision you make about “H.R. 3: No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.” I am aware that you are pro-life. I am not going to argue either side of that debate in this letter.

Instead, I would like to talk about the portion in this bill that attempts to re-define rape. The language is subtle, but if this act is passed, this subtle language can be used to hurt women across the United States of America. The section stating that a women is only allowed coverage “if the pregnancy occurred because the pregnant female was the subject of an act of forcible rape” is truly disturbing. I am aware that Lipinski has stated that, “the bill was not intended to change existing law regarding taxpayer funding for abortion in cases of rape, nor is it expected that it would do so”. But with the inclusion of the word “forcible”, this definition can very easily be interpreted in different ways. What does this new definition exclude? Any judge with a pro-life bias can interpret this statement to exclude a myriad of events. This excludes acquaintance/date rape in which no weapon was used along with incidents in which the attacker did not punch or slap the victim. If a woman is intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, she also can be denied coverage. Keep in mind that it is completely irrelevant whether the drugs or alcohol were given to her by the attacker or if she took them voluntarily without the attacker’s influence. In 84% of rapes, the victim knew the attacker. Violence was only used in 70% of rapes. In many cases of rape, the victim fights the rape verbally instead of physically out of fear of being overpowered. These cases of rape without violence are just as traumatizing and unwarranted as “forcible” rape. Psychologically, women often feel even more traumatized after acquaintance rape because not only do they feel as if they could have done more to prevent the attack, but they also feel like it is impossible to trust even those closest to them. These women, just like the victims of “forcible” rape, should not have to bear the consequence of having the child of an attacker. The rape was not their choice. After the rape, the victim is left dealing with the horribly traumatic aftermath of the rape. It is not relevant how much force was used. While dealing with the aftermath, a victim should not have to carry the burden of an unwanted pregnancy.

One solution to this issue is to include a definition of forcible rape. For example Oregon defines forcible rape as either a rape which uses physical force or one that uses, “a threat, express or implied, that places a person in fear of immediate or future death or physical injury to self or another person, or in fear that the person or another person will immediately or in the future be kidnapped.” This definition is not accepted by all states. This bill needs to provide a definition of rape that protects women; it does not need one that leaves victims out or subjects them to the interpretation of any judge with any agenda. Mr. Rigell, what do you believe is the definition for forcible rape?

Mr. Rigell, I urge you to consider the consequences of this bill and how it will negatively affect women. I am a 16 year old junior at Norfolk Academy and want to live in a society in which violence against women is taken seriously. Ignoring the issue of pro-life vs. pro- choice, this is an issue about violence. Whether this bill gets passed through the house or not, it is imperative that “forcible” rape is officially defined. There are already many misconceptions about rape. Even the police, people supposed to prevent this sort of violence, tend not to believe women and look for ways to blame the victim by questioning if she lead the attacker on or if she was dressed in a provocative way. With the reality and definition of rape already at question, the last thing society needs is Congress affirming what is already becoming a wide-spread belief. Please consider the safety of women when presenting and voting on this bill.

Sincerely, Haley Bauser