CNS News– In the wake of a stringent abortion ban in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott’s pledge to “eliminate rape” has come under intense scrutiny. A recent study, illuminating over 26,000 rape-related pregnancies in the 16 months following the abortion prohibition, starkly contrasts with Abbott’s ambitions.
The study, featured in the Journal of the American Medical Association, casts doubt on the feasibility of eradicating rape, a crime often shrouded in silence and perpetrated by acquaintances. Abbott’s initial remarks were made shortly after the 2021 Texas law, banning abortions from as early as six weeks, was enacted—a period when many are unaware of their pregnancy.
His assertion aimed to counter concerns about the law’s exclusion of rape exceptions, promising a proactive crackdown on sexual offenders. However, the Democratic caucus and advocacy groups argue that the reality belies these promises. With nearly four-fifths of rapes going unreported and the majority occurring within familiar settings, the approach to “aggressively” remove rapists from society seems oversimplified and ineffective.
Abbott’s vow to ‘eliminate rape’ draws fresh scrutiny after study on rape-related pregnancies https://t.co/L4pvO48FK4
— San Antonio Express-News (@ExpressNews) January 25, 2024
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Critics, including the state’s Democratic senators and sexual assault advocacy organizations, express outrage over the dire consequences faced by women and girls in Texas—ranging from unwanted pregnancies to the denial of essential healthcare. Despite the bipartisan efforts to enhance measures against sexual assault and improve survivor support, significant gaps remain, notably in defining consent within state laws.
Moreover, the absence of exceptions for rape and incest in the abortion ban exacerbates the plight of survivors, forcing many into perilous circumstances. The discourse further intensifies in light of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, leaving states like Texas with near-total abortion bans. Despite these restrictive laws, the number of reported rapes remains alarmingly high, with little change from previous years.
Advocates like Rose Luna and Emilee Whitehurst stress the compounded victimization inflicted by such bans, emphasizing the urgent need for a more compassionate and comprehensive approach to both preventing sexual assault and supporting survivors, beyond the simplistic rhetoric of eliminating rape.
