A 22-year-old woman, who became an advocate for survivors of sexual assault after being raped by her stepfather as a child, will join first lady Jill Biden in Pennsylvania this weekend as part of a campaign push around the anniversary of the fall of Roe v. Wade. The survivor, whose identity has been revealed as Duvall, first shared her story publicly in a campaign ad supporting Democratic Governor Andy Beshear during the last election cycle. In the ad, Duvall highlighted the consequences of abortion restrictions, particularly those without exceptions for rape or incest.
Duvall’s powerful ad resonated with voters, especially rural and male demographics who had previously supported Republican candidates. Now, she is shifting her focus to the upcoming White House election and will appear alongside first lady Jill Biden at a rally in Pittsburgh on Sunday. This event is part of President Joe Biden’s efforts to mobilize voters on abortion rights. Jill Biden will also hold an event in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on the same day.
Since the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn abortion rights in 1973, approximately half of the states have implemented some form of abortion ban, with 10 states having no exceptions for rape or incest. These bans have severe consequences for survivors like Duvall, who have had their childhoods stolen from them. Duvall believes that survivors deserve the right to make their own choices and feels compelled to speak up against the current abortion bans across the country.
President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, has taken credit for the appointment of three Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. However, he has not explicitly stated his position on exceptions for rape or incest. The events in Pennsylvania are part of a larger campaign push leading up to the anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision. Vice President Kamala Harris has also been involved in similar events across the country.
The campaign aims to shed light on the experiences of women and doctors impacted by the fall of Roe v. Wade, particularly those facing medical peril due to abortion restrictions. Recent polls indicate that a majority of Americans, including those residing in states with strict abortion limits, support legal access to abortion during the early stages of pregnancy. The Biden administration and Democrats are highlighting the growing fallout from the demise of Roe v. Wade as a crucial reason to reelect President Biden.
In the two years since the landmark decision was overturned, reproductive health in the United States has become increasingly contentious. Women have faced life-threatening situations due to the lack of emergency treatment, and miscarriage care has been delayed. Duvall, a senior at Midway University in Midway, Kentucky, has also spoken out about a state bill that would provide limited exceptions to Kentucky’s abortion law.
3 Responses
This is absolutely outrageous! It is sickening to think that a woman who has already endured such unimaginable trauma is now being forced to relive her pain and fight for her rights all over again. The fact that she was raped by her own stepfather as a child is already beyond horrifying, and now she has to face the constant threat of having her reproductive rights taken away from her?
It is infuriating to see how little regard there is for survivors of sexual assault in our society. Instead of
I found your post very interesting, especially the mention of the 22-year-old woman who will be joining first lady Jill Biden in Pennsylvania. Could you please expand on her story and how she became an advocate for survivors of sexual assault? It sounds like a powerful and inspiring journey.
I would like to recommend the book “Know My Name” by Chanel Miller. This memoir tells the powerful story of a survivor of sexual assault and her journey towards healing and reclaiming her identity. It sheds light on the experiences and challenges faced by survivors, while also advocating for change and raising awareness about sexual assault. It is an incredibly important and empowering read for anyone interested in understanding the impact of sexual assault and supporting survivors.