Choosing Adoption After Experiencing Sexual Assault
By Laysha Macedo
The harm and trauma as a result of sexual assault is unimaginable. Every 68 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted, a statistic that sadly paints a horrific picture of the realities women face. At times, sexual assault has led and can lead to unplanned pregnancies. An unplanned pregnancy can be a cause for added stress to survivors coping with the assault they just experienced. It can be difficult and disheartening to have to deal with so much happening at once.
An unplanned pregnancy may cause concern and other complicated feelings. With it also comes making a choice to continue the pregnancy and parent the child, place the baby for adoption, or terminate the pregnancy. If the thought of continuing the pregnancy is not an option for you, it is completely valid and understandable to choose termination. This is a difficult time to be making decisions that can have such a pivotal impact on your future. If, after considering your options, you—whether it is to parent the child or place them for adoption—choose to continue your pregnancy, it is a choice that is completely up to you. We want to iterate that you have every right to choose what happens next, and we are here to help if needed. If you choose adoption, we hope to provide you with the support and resources you need during this time.
You Have Agency in the Adoption Process
Questions often come up in regard to the birth father and his parental rights. As a result of the sexual assault he committed, his rights can be removed or diminished for being abusive. The birth father’s harm and abuse do not have to continue in your life by affecting your decision-making in regard to this pregnancy. In addition to your legal support, we will do as much as we can to support you and ensure your safety.
When choosing adoption, you, as the birth mother, have every right to choose how this process goes. You have agency in this adoption process to make the decisions you see fit for yourself and the child you are carrying.
When you reach out to Adoption Choices of Kansas, you can be connected to an adoption counselor to begin the process. Just like there are birth plans, an adoption plan will be made to make sure the process goes smoothly. Here, you can decide exactly what is going to happen. You can start looking for parents, deciding what kind of adoption you want, and so on. With adoption type—closed, semi-open, and open—you make the decision on whether or not you want to be in the life of that child. Again, whatever choice you make is completely valid. If you wish to close this part of your life and make the adoption closed, you have every right to make a decision that will be best for your well-being and mental health.
Adoption Resources for You
During this time, it is also important to seek support through other means. This may be a time of intense hardships, so your counselors can work with you to find the kind of support you need.
Experiencing sexual assault can lead to post-traumatic stress. Not to mention that for a lot of birth mothers, the adoption process alone can also be distressing due to the loss and grief. For mental health services, you can be directed to support groups or mental health counselors to help your grieving and coping process. The emotions and thoughts running through your mind during this time are completely valid. If you need professional help, it is important to let us know so you can be provided with the help you need.
We can also provide support through basic needs. If you were married to or lived with your birth father, we help guide you through this transition period. From helping you search for safe housing to finding financial assistance, we can help you find safety during this time of uncertainty.
Adoption Choices is Here to Help
Dealing with an unplanned pregnancy following an assault is an extremely difficult and emotional process. Filled with complicated feelings and decisions to be made, we want to assure you that we at Adoption Choices of Kansas are here to hopefully ease some of the stress. During this time of uncertainty, we hope to provide you with the support you need to get through this. From finding adoption agencies in Kansas to looking for mental health services and support groups, we are here for you.
If you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, do not hesitate to reach out to Adoption Choices of Kansas. If you have any questions about adoption agencies in Kansas or Wichita adoptions, feel free to reach out.