Mass. rape victim sues state for forcing relationship with attacker

(MyFoxBoston.com) – A rape victim is suing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for allegedly forcing her to maintain a relationship with her rapist, who impregnated her and is now seeking visitation rights and parent privileges because he pays child support.

In 2011, Jamie Melendez pleaded guilty to the rape of a 14-year-old middle school student who became pregnant and had a child in 2009. Melendez was sentenced to 16 years of probation and ordered by a judge to go to family court for the next 16 years to pay $110 a week in child support. As a result, Melendez is saying he should receive visitation rights if he is paying child support, reports RT America.

The victim's attorney says her client is worried about sending her daughter off with a man she doesn't know and who raped her; however, if Melendez pays the child support, he has a right to visitation and some level of involvement in the child's life for the next 16 years.

According to RT, the victim has previously requested the rapist pay criminal restitution instead of child support so she wouldn't have to deal with Melendez, but both the Mass. Supreme Judicial Court and the family court denied her request.

In the victim's lawsuit, she argues the court order against Melendez violates her federal right by binding her to an unwanted relationship. The lawsuit also notes no state court has ever issued an order that would force the kind of legal relationship between the rapist and the victim, reports the site.

For more information: RT America

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