As a survivor of sexual violence, I know firsthand the lifelong impact it has on victims. The current criminal justice system only allows for the death penalty in cases of murder, but rape is a crime that also destroys lives. Statistics show that 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. Shockingly, only 16% of rapists ever see jail time, and 25% of those who do will reoffend upon release.

Rape victims endure immense psychological trauma that can be likened to a form of death—the person they were before the crime is not who they are after. Jail sentences have proven insufficient as deterrents for this heinous act; therefore, we must implement harsher punishments.

By expanding the death penalty to include convicted rapists, we can deliver justice to survivors and potentially prevent future crimes. Sign this petition to urge lawmakers to change the rules regarding capital punishment and take a stronger stand against rape.