Rep AOC need to protect reproductive access

Addressing Misconceptions About Reproductive Health Laws

• Assertion that laws provide ample time for victims of abuse to seek abortion care is misleading.

  • Six weeks pregnant is essentially two weeks late for one’s period, which is a misconception regarding the timing surrounding pregnancy awareness.

  • The conversation about these laws shouldn't be occurring in legislative bodies by those lacking proper understanding of reproductive health.

The Impact of Sexual Assault on Victims

• Rape survivors often do not immediately recognize that they have been assaulted.

  • Shock and trauma can cloud immediate awareness of an assault.

  • Most victims are assaulted by someone they know (friends, colleagues, acquaintances, etc.), not by strangers.

• The myth of a stranger lurking to commit assault benefits abusers and perpetuates misunderstandings of the issue.

Misconceptions About Pregnancy Awareness

• Victims are often under significant stress and may not realize they are pregnant until much later.

  • Stress from a traumatic event can itself delay menstruation, complicating awareness of pregnancy.

  • The expectation that victims should immediately be aware of their circumstances undermines the complexity of trauma.

Birth Control Sabotage and Control Dynamics

• Common tactic among abusers: sabotaging a partner’s birth control.

  • Abusers often exert power and control over reproductive rights.

• It is crucial to recognize the importance of choices remaining with the woman rather than those in power.

Connections Between Personal Abuse Dynamics and Systemic Issues

• The historical context of reproductive control in the U.S. dates back to the oppression of enslaved Africans and indigenous peoples.

  • Current legislation reflects a continuation of these abusive and coercive historical dynamics.

  • The link between personal abuse and institutionalized control over women's reproductive rights needs to be addressed.