Senator Steele Bill Terminating Rapists Parental Rights Passes with Bipartisan Support

PHOENIX- Today after a years-long effort, Senator Victoria Steele’s bill (SB1007) protecting victims of rape by terminating their rapists' parental rights passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and now heads to Governor Ducey to sign into law. Current Arizona state law allows rapists to get joint custody, tying the victim to their rapist for life.

“Women shouldn’t be forced by law to share parental rights with rapists. Words cannot express how elated and grateful I am to my Republican and Democratic colleagues in the House for passing my bill and finally sending it to the Governor, said Senator Victoria Steele. “No one should be tethered to their rapist and abuser for life by being forced to share parental rights. As a victim of sexual assault myself, I know firsthand the trauma and pain victims of rape experience. While we cannot change what happened in the past, we can change what happens in the future and lessen the pain by not allowing a rapist parental rights. This was the correct and good thing to do.”