31 states allow rapists the same parental rights -- such as custody and visitation -- as other fathers.
Many believe that these laws do not matter because most women do not choose to have their rapist's baby, and even if they do, most rapists do not seek custody. However, this is not true. 30% of women choose to have babies conceived through rape, and the fathers often use these custody laws as a way to manipulate their victims into not pursuing criminal charges. Thus, these women have to pick between their right to a criminal trial and protecting their child. Most decide to forego a trial.
This is absolutely unacceptable. Under no terms should a man who fathered his child through rape have access to them. Please tell state legislators of the United States to restrict rapists' parental rights and protect women and children!
Dear state legislators,
31 states allow rapists access to the same parental rights, like custody and visitation, as other fathers.
Many of these men use this as blackmail -- they tell their victims that unless they don't pursue criminal charges, they will try to get access to the child. Because of this, women have to choose between their right to a trial or the protection of their child, with most, as expected, choosing the latter.
Please protect women and children and restrict rapists' parental rights!
Thank you for your time.
