PD to file private member's bill on rape victims, children conceived through rape

Rape victims needed to have the full backing of the law and society at large, as do children conceived through rape, Democratic Party MP Godfrey Farrugia said this morning. 

Farrugia, who was addressing a press conference in front of Parliament in Valletta, said the PD was launching a campaign – called Live and Love – to foster more unity in society and to address the needs of the more vulnerable. 

He said that the campaign would be spread over a number of months and would seek the consensus of civil society on a number of issues close to people's hearts. 

He said that, once parliament reconvened after summer recess and once the public consultation was concluded, he would be presenting a private member's bill that would highlight the fact that rape victims are persons who have been sexually abused and power-abused. 

Farrugia said that the bill would also protect the rights of the unborn child, conceived through rape, even through incest. 

"We are also recommending amendments to Chapter 145 and 150 of the Civil Code, which will have the rapist recognise the child, be forced to pay maintenance and lose all parental rights," he said. 

"The child conceived through rape should also have a right to the inheritance of the father."