In some red states, the fight has progressed to the point that rape victims left pregnant by their attackers are forced to carry the babies to full term, only to deal with the rapists later seeking parental rights.
(SALEM, Ore.) - Survivors of sex abuse are rallying against the politics of the GOP's vice-presidential pick. Sarah Palin's staunch anti-abortion views actually have a backfire effect for rape victims. The woman featured in a TV PSA that is currently running was raped, and must carry the child to full term under Palin's plan.
Sexual abuse survivors like Coral Theill, formerly of Polk County, Oregon, take strong exception to Palin's position. Theill's story involved the Polk County, Oregon justice system backing the sex abuser who was friends with judges, police and others in the local area.
Theill spoke at the Center for Judicial Excellence last week, and shared the same thoughts as this young woman in the video above.
"I spoke about Sarah Palin and her extreme religious beliefs. Sarah Palin is the "us" we are the them, a theme I wove throughout my published book, BONSHEA." (see: bonshea.com/).
Theill, like many women who have endured similar abuse, believes no political body or government has the right to tell women whether or not they can seek an abortion.
In some red states, the fight has progressed to the point that rape victims left pregnant by their attackers are forced to carry the babies to full term, only to deal with the rapists later seeking parental rights.
Coral Theill says her next book will include the ideology/mindset of the McCain/Palin campaign and what she sees as the harmful affects of their beliefs toward all people, and especially rape and incest victims.
"Their ideology reminds me of the 20 years I suffered under cult and oppressive religious 'wingnuts' such as my ex and his supporters. I am safe now, but if McCain/Palin should win this election, I along with many of my friends, wish to leave the country."
She says she is thankful Barack Obama voted for a bill that would have included education in schools for young children to help protect them from sexual predators.
"I wish someone would have been watching out for me as a child. Since Senator John McCain's negative ads against Obama regarding Obama's support of this bill to protect children, I have concluded that McCain's ideology wishes to protect sexual predators."
Theill shocked many when she released her book Bonshea: Making Light of the Dark and her saga has been the subject of several feature articles here at Salem-News.com. Links to the stories are listed below. She is becoming increasingly connected to advocates with notoriety and power and it is likely that her next book will be even more explosive than the last.
"Many people, including Congressman Lewis, Keith Oblermann, Rachel Maddow, Frank Schaeffer and many others are speaking out for me and giving voice to the violence. McCain/Palin have too many parallels that relate to those who have abused me for years."
Here is the video PSA regarding Palin's position on women's choice:
Video
Coral Anika Theill’s published book, BONSHEA, has been used as a college text for nursing students at Linfield College. Coral received a “Writer’s Award” in 2002 from iUniverse Publishing, Inc. BONSHEA is also recommended as a “survivor” story by the National Domestic Violence Resource Center in Pennyslvania. You can also find BONSHEA: Making Light of the Dark by Coral Anika Theill at the Salem, Corvallis, Albany, Independence, Monmouth and Linn Benton and Chemeketa Community Colleges. Copies are also available at Borders Bookstore in Corvallis, Oregon.
This is the most recent article on Coral Theill: What Abuse Survivors Expect from the Portland Crime Victims Conference
To see part one in our special two part series report by Coral Theill, visit: Marital Rape and Abuse Victim Seeks Justice From Oregon's Governor
This is the original Salem-News.com article by Tim King on Coral Theill's plight: Abuse Under the Watch of Oregon's Justice System
PSA Targets Sarah Palin's Anti-Abortion PositionSalem-News.com