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Kicking the Vulnerable to the Curb

It happens all over the world. So, I shouldn’t be surprised. Our nation has gone through stages of dehumanizing people groups before. It still seems that in these days of so-called enlightenment, we should be more civil, more compassionate, more responsive in law and policy.

Rape victims in some countries are further penalized, some killed, because they were raped. This seems very backward to me. But even here in my own country, victim blaming has been a mainstay. Of course, there are a few crazies, who would accuse someone of rape out of spite or some motive to get compensation. It’s extremely rare.

Rape goes underreported, by women and by men. Men cannot get pregnant though. When a woman gets pregnant as a result of violence, she is doubly victimized in our country.

If she reported the rape right away, she is told to get to hospital to collect evidence and make sure that her injuries do not require medical attention. Then, she is told to take a huge dose of a Class 1 carcinogen, we call Plan B. This drug is toxic. It’s design is to stop  the natural process of ovulation, to thicken cervical mucous, and also it is to create a hostile uterine environment. It will not allow a developing baby to implant.

When I hear this, it translates to me that: We know you have been injured, now we want to poison you and make sure that if you conceive, your baby dies before you could even know you’re pregnant.

No only does that convey the idea that, because she is damaged goods, she doesn’t deserve to be protected from cancer causing drugs. Also, because she is damaged, her baby is not a life worth protecting. Her maternity should be stripped away from her. She doesn’t deserve to be allowed to have her child.

For women who don’t report until they find out their pregnant, which is often later than women who are sexually active, simply because they might pay attention for that, it’s even worse.

They are less likely to be believed. So, they are blamed. They’re pressured by society to get an abortion. Not only is that child not deserving of the life granted to him or her, but the woman doesn’t deserve to come through the harrowing experience victoriously.

She is subjected to the message that it is proper to kill her baby, but not necessarily other babies. Babies of the same age might be protected, but if she conceived by rape or incest, then her baby is the exception.

Federal funds are not supposed to be allowed for abortion, unless the child was conceived by rape or incest. The message comes across very loud and very clear. The message is that even though the federal government will not fund abortion for everyone else, her baby can be killed using tax dollars, because her baby is not worthy of life.

Most women may not even come close to recognizing this message at first. Trauma has a way of messing with our logical thinking. It may take years to recover from some violent encounters. As she heals, she will become more aware.

As she deals with all of the aftermath, the message will appear. How we have kicked these poor victims to the curb. How will she cope with that deep rejection. The country, as a whole has accepted this terrible notion.

If you had a traumatic experience, please be assured that some people care for you. You deserve to be protected. Your children deserve to be treasured. If you were pushed through some additional harm and you are on the road to healing, please be sure to recognize that it is out of a confused compassion.

People don’t even think about the message their actions actually convey.

Just because a bunch of people think it’s right doesn’t make it so. Just because it is legal doesn’t make it right. When people devalue you, they are wrong.

You are a treasure. You are important. Your life matters. I will keep telling you.

What is the message you’re sending?

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