INCASA’s Statement on Richard Mourdock’s Comments

MCASA stands behind INCASA's following statement: "There is never an excuse, invitation, or any plausible reason to ever rape anyone. Survivors of these attacks must remember that it is never their fault, they are not alone, and that there is help," said Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault Chief Executive Officer, Anita Carpenter. "God does not allow anyone to force his/her will over another. It is not His will that someone be raped. The act of rape is not condoned by God. It is an act of violence, power, and control over another human being. His voice on the subject of rape is quite clear. Deuteronomy 22:25 "But if out in the country a man happens to meet a girl pledged to be married and rapes her, only the man who has done this shall die. 22:26 Do nothing to the girl for she has committed no sin deserving death" -- The argument here is not that life is a gift from God but rather that rape is an illegal, immoral and unjust act that cannot be tolerated in our society.   We need to stop placing blame and responsibility on the victim.  The responsibility of rape lies squarely and plainly on the shoulders of perpetrators who choose to assert their free will over another. Rape is not something God intended," said Carpenter. "Our thoughts are with the 1 in 6 women and 1 in 12 men [...] that felt re-victimized by Mr. Mourdock's comments during last night's Senatorial debate. Our agency's continual efforts to advocate for and support the decisions of survivors in their time of healing is unwavering", said Carpenter.