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Contraceptive issue becomes hot in Connecticut
20% of hospitals in Connecticut do not routinely offer contraceptives to all rape victims, but there is now a pending proposal that would make it illegal to not offer them. Rape counseling activists argue that not only should all hospitals provide contraception to rape victims, but that making women who are already traumatized go to another hospital or pharmacy to get them is contributing to their trauma.
The state has four Catholic hospitals which are, of course, opposed to offering contraception of any kind. What makes the Connecticut conflict interesting is that the state's Victim Advocate, James F. Papillo, is a Catholic, and is opposed to the proposed legislation, which he calls an "attack on religious freedom." Papillo's remarks resulted in calls for his resignation and also a reprimand from Connecticut governor M. Jodi Rell. But--stay with me here--Rell has also said publicly that she is not sure the legislation is necessary.
To make matters even more interesting, Democratic senator Joe Lieberman has spoken out against the legislation, saying that he believes that hospitals who refuse to provide contraception "for principled reasons" should not be forced to do so. "In Connecticut," he said, "It shouldn't take more than a short ride to get to another hospital."
In 1978, my rapist was released from another rape and shooting of a woman, and embarked on a 90 day crime spree. He went to the same beach where he tried to kill the last woman he raped. Unfortunately, he met me, the daughter of a Dept of Corrections' employee.
I was taken to the hospital by police officers. Not only was I given antibiotics, I was given the morning after pill to prevent pregnancy. As an 18 year old Mormon church virgin, nothing can prepare you for a rape, let alone fighting to keep from being pregnant with a rapist's child.
Since my rapist was a different race than me, he would not have been in an adoption home after I gave birth to it, IF I was pregnant. There is a great demand for caucasian babies, not biracial ones.
The rapist has paternity rights to an unborn child. Would you want to submit any woman to that? These same people would not make a political statement with their daughter, would they?
Not only did I testify against him, after he was Earlt Released in 10 years instead of 30 years, I stalked my stalker again in 1998 and had him incarcerated. And even now, the five dead bodies that were found in the same area where I was almost murdered? I am assisting a St Pete Police officer in locating cold case evidence to convict him on the unsolved murders using DNA.
Peggy, your courage is truly amazing. Good luck.