Victims and Victors: Speaking Out About Their Pregnancies, Abortions, and Children Resulting from Sexual Assault

by Makimaa Reardon

This compelling new book addressing these complex issues in a clear and insightful manner. Drawn from a survey of nearly 200 women who have experienced rape or incest pregnancies, Victims and Victors reveals a seldom-heard truth: that most women who become pregnant through sexual assault do not want abortions!

Victims and Victors leaps past the rhetoric that typically dominates the abortion issue to give women a chance to tell their stories. These are the real "experts" on this complex issue: the women who have been there. Just listen to what they have to say:

"After my daughter was born, it was love at first sight . . . I know I made the right decision in having her." —Nancy "Cole"

"Often I cry. Cry because I could not stop the attacks. Cry because my daughter is dead. And I cry because it still hurts." —Edith Young

"I think that rape victims with pregnancies are discriminated against because people seem to think you're nuts to have a baby by a man who raped you. We are looked upon as being liars, or stupid." —Sharon "Bailey"

"They say abortion is the easy way out, the best thing for everyone, but they are wrong. It has been over 15 years, and I still suffer." —"Rebecca Morris"

"I thank God for the strength He gave me to go through the bad times and for all of the joy in the good times. I will never regret that I chose to give life to my daughter." —Mary Murray

"Abortion does not help or solve a problem—it only compounds and creates another trauma for the already grieving victim by taking away the one thing that can bring joy." —Helene Evans

"The effects of the abortion are much more far-reaching than the effects of the rape in my life." —"Patricia Ryan"

"I, having lived through rape, and having raised a child `conceived in rape,' feel personally assaulted and insulted every time I hear that abortion should be legal for rape and incest. I feel that we're being used to further the abortion issue, even though we've not been asked to tell our side of the story." —Kathleen DeZeeuw

In Victims and Victors, 20 women like the ones quoted above share what it is like to face a pregnancy resulting from rape or incest. They speak bravely and candidly of the pain of sexual assault, of the sadness and trauma of abortion, and of the joy and healing of giving birth.

Victims and Victors answers these important questions—questions every pro-lifer should be asking:

What do women really need when facing a pregnancy resulting from sexual assault, and how can we best meet those needs?

How can pro-lifers hold on to their principles while providing compassionate and understanding support for pregnant sexual assault victims at the same time?

How can legislators best convey a pro-woman, pro-life philosophy when faced with questions regarding sexual assault and abortion?

Why are rape and incest pregnancies the "cornerstone" for abortion on demand, and what can pro-lifers do to counteract this?

How can women who have experienced sexual assault pregnancies share the truth about their experiences in a way that will truly make a difference?

You will find the answers to these questions in Victims and Victors. It lays out a clear argument against abortion in cases of sexual assault and gives pro-lifers the tools they need to combat the argument that abortion is helpful—or even necessary—for women facing a sexual assault pregnancy.

This book is a "must read" for everyone involved in the pro-life movement. Order your copy of Victims and Victors today!

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 2000

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely amazing book that every single pro-lifer on earth should definitely read. In fact, if you are pro-life but believe in abortion in cases of rape and incest, you need to read this book. It contains the testimonies of women who became pregnant after rape or incest as well as the testimonies of grown children who were conceived that way. It was based on a study that was done by David Reardon and some other people which interviewed over 200 women who became pregnant after rape, and then either gave their children up for adoption, Them, or aborted. The statistics were really startling – a large percentage of those who aborted regretted it, over 90%. Yet out of those who gave their children up for adoption or kept them, not a single one regretted it. I never would've believe those statistics if I'd heard them, but the study was apparently very thorough in its interviews and while I think further study is needed before jumping to any conclusions, the overall messages that abortion, even after rape, doesn't help women. It doesn't help women heal from rape or incest. People really need to read this book if they are pro-life and have trouble defending the rape exception, or if they are pro-life but support the rape exception. Really, everyone should read this book.

[Patience]

“Often the offer of such ‘quick and easy’ solutions as abortion only serve those who are uncomfortable or unwilling to deal with the special problems and needs that pregnancy [from rape] might present… The ‘abortion is the best solution’ approach can only serve to encourage the belief that sexual assault is something for which the victim must bear shame—a sin to be carefully concealed.”

[Froukje Cradock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really harrowing read but so important - not a perspective we get to hear much.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for all of those who wish to know about the "hard cases" of abortion from the point of view of those who have actually experienced these hard cases. Furnished with the testimonies of 192 women (some only summarized by David Reardon, the writer, and some given in the exact words of the testifiers), the book is meant to dispel any theoretical ideas about what the victims of rape/incest need and want.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to better understand the abortion debate.