NM Advocates Decry Use of ‘Forcible Rape’ Language by Gov. Susana Martinez: UPDATED
Update: the ‘forcible rape’ language has been removed.
A day after it was reported that the controversial phrase “forcible rape” was proposed to be in an official piece of state policy, Gov. Susana Martinez asked that the language be pulled.
The Huffington Post announced the removal of the language.
Enrique Knell, a spokesperson for the CYFD, said Martinez directed the department on Wednesday night to remove the word “forcible” from the language.
“It’s redundant, unnecessary, and she doesn’t support its usage,” Knell told The Huffington Post.
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The [original] full article is here: NM Advocates Decry Use of ‘Forcible Rape’ Language by Gov. Susana Martinez
The use of the term ‘forcible rape’ has women and family advocates calling on Gov. Susana Martinez to clarify that ‘rape is rape’. The insertion of “forcible rape” is found on page seven of proposed revision to the New Mexico Child Care Assistance regulations, with a public hearing about the revisions scheduled for October 1st in Santa Fe. In addition to the proposed revisions to NM regulations, advocates noted in a press release today that Gov. Susana Martinez signed an executive proclamation last March that included the term as well.
The use of the term within the context of the 2012 elections recently ignited a firestorm of debate at the national level, with advocates and elected officials from across the political spectrum speaking out that the ‘rape is rape’. New Mexico advocates are now calling on Gov. Martinez to clarify that ‘rape is rape’
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This is especially disappointing given that Martinez was a District Attorney who specialized in prosecuting child abuse.