Senator Brownback has highlighted the disconnect that I see so often when it comes to dealing with rape.

"Rape is terrible. Rape is awful. Is it made any better by killing an innocent child? Does it solve the problem for the woman that's been raped?" the Kansas Republican asked at the St. Joseph's Covenant Keepers gathering.



"We need to protect innocent life. Period," Brownback said, bringing the crowd of about 500 to its feet.

Really?

What is this group and others like it doing to stop boys and men from committing rape so girls and women won't have to make the choice these men want to make for them and so rape victims won't be killed by the most violent rapists or so they won't be so traumatized they take their own life?

If Sen. Brownback truly believes that rape is terrible, rape is awful, what is he doing to prevent potential rapists from crossing the line and what is he doing to help rape victims recover from the trauma of being raped and what is he doing to minimize the trauma of reporting and navigating through the criminal justice system?

If Senator Brownback had said, "Rape is terrible. Rape is awful. We need to put a stop to it right now" would the members of this group have given him the same standing ovation?

Technorati tags: rape crime politics sexual violence sexual assault feminism

Labels: prevention, Violence Against Women