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Mass. cutting rapists a break? States from Maine to Georgia have rushed to aid rape victims battling attempts by their attackers to claim parental rights, but not Massachusetts

Massachusetts may like to think of itself as exceptionally enlightened and several cuts above the Deep South.

But tell that to rape victims who become pregnant and then face a state court system that can be anything but empathetic.

A sexual assault victim who opts to keep her baby faces the daunting prospect of potentially having to deal with their rapist for years to come.

Massachusetts is now one of a declining number of states that still require a conviction for sexual assault in criminal court before it will strip a rapist of his - or in some cases her - parental rights.

And even then, the perpetrator can go to court to win back those rights - such as visitation – with judges given a wide degree of latitude to make exceptions.

The Massachusetts Legislature has for years been resistant to changing the current law, which baffles rape survivor Analyn Megison, whose daughter was born after her assault.

Photo by Samuel Yongbo Kwon on Unsplash

Megison, a financial agent and attorney based in Arizona, has become a national advocate for making it easier to terminate the parental rights of rapists.

She was prepared to testify before a legislative committee on Beacon Hill years ago when the pandemic lockdown intervened.

Contacted by Contrarian Boston, Megison was stunned to hear that no action had been taken.