Sooooo….where oh where to begin? I don’t usually speak much on politically divisive topics, but when I see a news headline like this…

21 South Carolina GOP Lawmakers Propose Death Penalty for Women Who Have Abortions

… I really just can’t remain silent.

Now, if you’re pro-life, before you quick hit the unsubscribe button – hear me out.

The assault on women continues to escalate, and during this month — Child Abuse Prevention Month — we have to take a moment to understand how this is all connected.

Child s*xual abuse doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens when a society repeated, dedicatedly says, “Women, we do not value you. We will not protect you. We will punish you if you don’t do what we say. Your body is not your own.”

Make no mistake about it, when those supporting and representing patriarchy lash out in these big ways, make these kind of moves – they are scared of losing the power and control.

Women, we are not lesser. We have sway and influence and power.

Even Pharrell knows “women are the essential power of life” (gets good at 1:00):

Regardless of your personal views on abortion, we as women must be on alert, we must face the truth that those who wish to harm, control, diminish us will not go quietly.

They will pull out all the stops.

And hear me loud and clear: The psychology that drives these attacks on women’s bodies (and also the bodies of trans, BIPOC, Jewish people) ALSO drives the lack of legislation and prosecution of those who abuse children. 

So, we must, regardless of personal ideology, face the truth that the more divided we are as women, the easier it will be to regulate our bodies, our opportunities, our families, our finances AND the epidemic that is childhood s*xual abuse will continue to receive only lip service and placation, because if those in office will not defend a woman’s body, why the hell would you expect them to protect a child’s?

So what do we do?

We fight.

We raise our voices.

We get empowered to protect ourselves and our children!

You can find Rob Harris’s business and home phone number here (he authored this bill): https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=0764772636

I suggest you call him and give him a piece of your mind. I know I will!

Spitting mad,

P.S. For my male survivors — I see you. I know your pain. I know all of the ways in which your trauma is ignored and minimized – and that also is not okay. And in this particular moment, I have to speak to you as allies rather than survivors.