Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 21, 1995 TAG: 9505050010
SECTION: NATL/INTL PAGE: A2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RALEIGH, N. C. LENGTH: Medium
Republican Rep. Henry Aldridge made the remarks to the House Appropriations Committee as it debated a proposal to eliminate a state abortion fund for poor women.
``The facts show that people who are raped - who are truly raped - the juices don't flow, the body functions don't work and they don't get pregnant,'' said Aldridge, a 71-year-old periodontist. ``Medical authorities agree that this is a rarity, if ever.''
Aldridge's comments outraged women's advocates and some of his fellow legislators from both parties.
``It's really common for rape victims to be blamed for being raped,'' said Margaret Henderson, president of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
``But this is the first time I've heard of rape victims being blamed for becoming pregnant. I am both flabbergasted and offended by this man's remarks.''
Aldridge had the floor during the committee meeting as he was trying to apologize for earlier remarks implying that victims of rape or incest are sexually promiscuous.
``I would invite the representative from Pitt to ask any woman who is the victim of rape or incest if she is being sexually promiscuous,'' Democratic Rep. Dan Blue told him at the time.
Later, Aldridge defended his comments.
``To get pregnant, it takes a little cooperation. And there ain't much cooperation in a rape,'' he said.
Republican House speaker Harold Brubaker said Aldridge's comments ``are not the opinion of the leadership of the House.''
The discussion arose as Republican Rep. Ken Miller tried to eliminate the state abortion fund for poor women from the budget.
A subcommittee has recommended cutting the fund from $1.2 million to $50,000 next year.
Miller later withdrew his proposal, saying that it had been misinterpreted.
by CNB