Many pro-choice advocates argue that abortion should be legal in cases where the woman has been raped. Pro-choicers imply that women who are raped and become pregnant as a result cannot possibly want to keep their babies. They say that it is traumatic for the victim to have a rapist’s baby. However, pro-choicers are usually speaking for themselves. The rape victims are not often given a voice — even though they should be. They are the ones that we should be listening to when it comes to giving birth to a baby after a rape. Their stories might surprise you.
When she was 13 years old, Kali was brutally raped. She later found out she was pregnant. Kali was pressured by family and friends to have an abortion. She was told that having an abortion would make things so much easier for her. Kali’s friends and family predicted that if she kept the baby, it would ruin her life. Even her doctor encouraged her to have an abortion. The medical staff said that the baby might turn out to be a rapist like his father.
In spite of the pressure, Kali decided to choose life for her baby. Now, many years later, Kali has opened up about her decision, telling Live Action News she was glad she made the right choice.
Kali explained that she couldn’t blame her child for the horrible thing that had happened to her, and that her son didn’t have a choice in how he was conceived.
Kali continued to say that she is completely pro-life. She believes that abortion is murder, which is why the decision to keep her baby wasn’t a hard one for her. She said that going through with having the baby has solidified her pro-life stance. Kali told Live Action News that hearing her baby’s heartbeat left her with an amazing feeling.
The rape victim went on to say that she is opening up about her choice in hopes that her story can inspire others in similar situations to do the same. She said that, although rape is a terrible thing, a baby represents beauty and life.
Kali’s son Smitlee was born early. He came at just 28 weeks and spent just over a month in an infant intensive care unit. In spite of his early challenges, Smitlee is thriving and doing well. At 4 years old, he is a happy, healthy boy.
Many rape victims are pressured into having abortions by their loved ones. Even some people who are pro-life tend to condone abortion conceived out of rape. They might believe that the abortion will help the rape victim heal and move on. Other times, family or friends just wish the problem would go away. When they see their loved one pregnant, they are constantly reminded of what happened to the mother. They might believe that having an abortion will punish the rapist. Many people are misinformed about the outcome of rape-related pregnancy.
Abortion after rape does not punish the rapist. It does not undo what happened to the mother, nor does it help the mother heal faster. And, it won’t prevent other women from being assaulted. All that it does it end a life of a child that didn’t choose to be conceived in this way.
So, while you might be tempted to tell a rape victim to “put this behind you” or “not dwell on what happened,” this advice can be harmful especially to a rape victim who is pregnant. This does not express empathy for the victim or respect the child if the woman is pregnant.
Rape victims who do become pregnant need the support of those around them. Both the mother and child deserve unconditional support and love. Having a child is not punishment no matter how the child came into the world. The child does not represent what happened to the mother. For many rape victims, a child represents hope.
~ 1776 Christian
