Citing Castro, new bill would strip rapists of custody rights

(CNN) – After a judge denied Cleveland kidnapping suspect Ariel Castro’s request to see the 6-year-old daughter authorities say he fathered with one of his victims, a bill introduced on Capitol Hill earlier this week would strip convicted rapists of their parental privileges and custody nationwide.

Called the Rape Survivor Child Custody Act, the bill would incentivize legal initiatives on the state level to help women secure full custody of children conceived through rape.

“Without such a law, woman can endure years of being tormented by an abuser,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida, at a press conference on Thursday.

One such victim was on hand. Shauna Prewitt was a college senior when she was raped and decided to keep the baby. Now a custody rights attorney, Prewitt said Thursday she was “tethered” to her rapist by Illinois custody rights.

“Women who face the issue that I faced are dealing with custody battles that are behind closed doors,” Prewitt said. “This is absolutely horrific and we shouldn’t be bargaining with rapists.”

Ohio, where Castro is accused of imprisoning his victims, currently has no laws that would take away Castro’s parental rights.

Castro is facing nearly 1,000 counts, including kidnapping, rape and aggravated murder. His trial begins August 5.

Bipartisan bill aims to protect rape victims from custody battles with their attackers

A federal bipartisan bill aims to protect rape victims from custody battles with their attacker.

The “Rape Survivor Child Custody Act” would allow victims to terminate the parental rights of their rapists.

Florida congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz is the bill’s sponsor.

“This bipartisan legislation encourages states to pass laws that allow women to petition for the termination of parental rights based on clear and convincing evidence that a child was conceived through rape,” said Wasserman Schultz.

Pennsylvania congressman Tom Marino said, “if states enact such legislation, they will be eligible for additional grants that will improve law enforcement response to violent crimes and increase prosecution of violent crimes against women, including crimes of sexual assault and domestic violence.”

Only six states currently have laws that give women access to legal options to avoid custody battles with their rapists.