Archetype in Action Organization
34 Years Ago Today.... [August 20, 2012]
- Details
- Parent Category: Focus Issues
- Category: Abuse of Women & Children
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23 Aug 2012
- Last Updated on Monday, 17 December 2012 18:22
- Published on Thursday, 23 August 2012 15:03
- Written by Karen Mulhauser
- Hits: 1117
Today, I surprised myself ... I made a donation to the Obama campaign that brought me to the maximum legal contribution before the convention. Rarely do I give more money than I have, but NOW I'M MAD!!
What's an illegitimate rape anyway? Is that the kind that is not forced? When is rape not forced?
Some of you know that in the 1970s, I was the Executive Director of NARAL, which at that time was called the National Abortion Right Action League. What you may not know is that in 1978, I was raped at gunpoint by two men who broke into our home. My husband was out of town and our seven year old son was sleeping. I knew I must not scream and wake him. For 2.5 hours as I was bound, while they stole everything of value and raped me repeatedly and all I could think of was survival -- that my husband would return to find both of us dead. In the weeks that followed as I talked with friends and received tremendous support from family and others, I was grateful that anger could replace fear -- I could do something about anger.
I testified in both the House and Senate to support abortion funding for rape victims. Back then was the first time Congress drafted legislation to not fund abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, unless the rape was forced. My anger increased when I learned that a Congressman said in conference committee that the issue is not whether or not the rape was forced, but how much the woman enjoyed it. He did not deny this when I mentioned it in the testimony. I thought Congress needed to hear a real human life story.
It was 34 years ago today that I was raped and Congress is still talking about forced rape and legitimate rape and fertilized eggs with more rights than women.
Yes, I'm angry! And I will do whatever I can to get President Obama re-elected. Please join me in contributing what you can - and then more.
Thank you.
-- Karen Mulhauser
https://donate.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/2012/KMulhauser
