Well over half of women impregnated through rape choose to keep and raise their children, but 17 states still lack protections against rapists seeking custody or visitation rights. Unfortunately, Mississippi is one of these states.
Each year, between 17,000 and 32,000 pregnancies occur as a result of sexual assault. According to the Rape Survivors Child Custody Act, 73 percent of these women carry their children to term, and 64 percent of them raise the children. In Mississippi, these women are left vulnerable to threats, harassment and intimidation if their rapists seek custody or visitation rights. This prolongs the healing process and causes much financial and emotional stress for rape survivors.
Please sign the petition to urge Mississippi legislators to pass laws preventing rapists from seeking custody or visitation rights of children conceived through sexual assault.
Well over half of women impregnated through rape choose to keep and raise their children, but 17 states still lack protections against rapists seeking custody or visitation rights. Unfortunately, Mississippi is one of these states.
Each year, between 17,000 and 32,000 pregnancies occur as a result of sexual assault. According to the Rape Survivors Child Custody Act, 73 percent of these women carry their children to term, and 64 percent of them raise the children. In Mississippi, these women are left vulnerable to threats, harassment and intimidation if their rapists seek custody or visitation rights. This prolongs the healing process and causes much financial and emotional stress for rape survivors.
I respectfully urge Mississippi legislators to pass laws preventing rapists from seeking custody or visitation rights of children conceived through sexual assault. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this petition.
