Welfare benefits for Pennsylvania women may be reduced if they cannot prove rape

Pennsylvania House bill 2718 would limit the amount of benefits under the TANF program for women based on the number of children they have while in the program. The bill is the bi-partisan effort of Pennsylvania state Representatives Keith Gillespie (R), RoseMarie Swanger (R), Adam Harris (R), Tom Caltagirone (D), Mark Gillen (R), and Mike Tobash (R). The bill states that a woman who has been raped may seek a variance on the limits of the program if a child is conceived through a rape, but only if the mother can provide proof of the sexual assault and the identity of the person who assaulted her to the police.

From HB 2718,

"In determining the amount of assistance payments to a recipient family of benefits under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Program, the department shall revise the schedule of benefits to be paid to the recipient family by eliminating the increment in benefits under the program for which that family would otherwise be eligible as a result of the birth of a child conceived during the period in which the family is eligible for benefits under the TANF Program."

The bill also includes a requirement that the woman sign a statement that affirms she understands that false reports to law enforcement authorities are punishable by law. As well, there is included a stipulation that evidence of false statements or fraud will be reported to authorities, including the Attorney General’s office.

Critics of the bill complain that the bill punishes low income mothers who might not have access to contraception, and supports negative attitudes towrd sexual assault survivors. Additionally, critics state that forcing a woman to prove their assault was 'legitimate' is accusatory, and perpetrates the assumption that sexual assault victims are guilty until proven innocent.

It is estimated that over half of sexual assaults are not reported due to the fear of abusers retaliating.

A similar bill was offered up in New Mexico that included a provision for women seeking childcare assistance to prove they were “forcibly raped.” Gov. Susana Martinez requested the provision be removed from the bill's language.

Al Stefanelli

Al serves on the Board of Directors for The Clergy Project, and is the former Georgia State Director for American Atheists, Inc. He is a retired journalist and the author of "Free Thoughts - A Collection Of Essays By An American Atheist" and "A Voice Of Reason In An Unreasonable World - The Rise Of Atheism On Planet Earth." Al began writing in 1985, starting with the New York Times. In 1993 he joined a McClatchy newspaper, writing a weekly column for ten years. His writing continues to be widely distributed on the Internet and in print. He also produced and hosted a weekly syndicated radio broadcast for three years and was the founder and President of the former United Atheist Front, Inc., which functioned as a civil rights organization. Al is a former Southern Baptist Pastor, having served two churches and as pulpit supply for three counties. Currently, he writes for The God Discussion, hosts his own blog on WordPress, submits content to a variety of publications, and co-hosts "American Heathen Radio" and "Reap Sow Radio." Al lives in Peachtree City, GA., a suburb of Atlanta.

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  • timidatheist

    I'm so very sick of seeing states go after rape victims, as if they are the real criminals because they ask for assistance. Women of color are especially affected by this because they are more often the victims of rape and are believed less often and are usually forced into positions where they need assistance just to say afloat.