Sofia Sunseri: Give abuse survivors their justice

From the time I was 5 years old until I reached puberty, I survived repeated sexual abuse. Like far too many others, there was no justice. The legal system failed me and protected the abuser. I repeatedly and profoundly suffered abuse throughout my life while being held to normal expectations like primary school, high school graduation, college, developing a career path and so forth. The physical and mental memory of these childhood rapes lingered without boundaries, preventing me from moving forward and brutally reemerging upon each failure to reach expectations. I fought to push through, and I forged my path. I did not expect support from the legal system or lawmakers. No justice would be served, and I also carry that with me.

I recently learned that Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, started the process of creating a legal remedy for survivors like me. In short, it would amend our state constitution and mean that those of us whose childhoods were plagued with abuse and control and who had been silenced could finally have the support of our legal system. This legislation clearly and wholeheartedly stands for children but has not yet met the Senate votes to move forward.

So, why the setbacks? Instead of passing a bill with broad support from the public and members of both parties, some senators used it as a vehicle for adding completely unrelated constitutional amendment propositions into the bill.

How could anyone stand against this? What is so crucial that the God-fearing officials who tout their care for the sanctity of the family and children would hinder any part of an amendment that simply and plainly helps victims and children seeking civil remedies for our abuse? This is just their unending quest to regulate abortion access out of existence and suppress voting rights with ID requirements.

Like many Pennsylvanians, my story contains multitudes. I have also had an abortion.

I wasn’t prepared for pregnancy, let alone motherhood, and I chose to have an abortion. It was safe, legal and accessible. It saved my life. I’m now married and have children. I had them when I was ready, and I am so grateful for my access to abortion when I was younger. Now, the right to access abortion care is being used as a bargaining chip against our right to seek justice.

It’s just another scene of political theater. I ask these members of the Pennsylvania Senate to be very clear with their constituents as to why they are holding this up. Using survivors like me to advance an unpopular, anti-abortion and extremist agenda has no legislative advantage beyond cynical politics. It doesn’t have to be this way; we all deserve better. We deserve to see earnest, forthright proposals coming from Harrisburg.

My rights — our rights — are not to be bartered in cheap partisan games. Survivors deserve their day in court, everyone deserves access to abortion and everyone deserves to cast a ballot.

Sofia Sunseri is a Pittsburgh area resident.