Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Stop coercive abortions
A pregnant 19-year-old is kidnapped by her parents, who tie her up, load her into the car and take her to an abortion clinic against her will. A boyfriend stabs his girlfriend who is carrying his child because she refused to have a abortion. Out of fear, the girl submits to an abortion.
Heartbreaking stories like these, involving women who are coerced into having abortions, are becoming all too common. In 2004, the Medical Science Monitor reported the results of a study of American post-abortive women. Sixty-five percent felt pressured by others to have an abortion through financial, relational or emotional threats.
To address this growing problem, Wisconsin Right to Life is promoting the Coercive Abortion Protection Act authored by Sen. Roger Breske, D-Eland, Sen. Mary Lazich,
R-New Berlin and Rep. Mark Gundrum, R-New Berlin.
The purpose of the legislation is to protect women who are being coerced into having an abortion. A woman has a right to refuse to consent to an abortion, and her consent is not voluntary if any person is forcing her to have an abortion.
The Coercive Abortion Prevention Act will encourage women to admit they are facing coercion. They will be assisted to obtain resources, including resources to assist her to avoid physical abuse.
For more information on The Coercive Abortion Prevention Act, go to WisconsinRightToLife.org. While at our site, individuals can sign up for E-Voice to receive legislative updates.
Susan Armacost is legislative director of Wisconsin Right to Life.
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