Criminally charging women for acquiring an induced abortion ignores the complex and coercive circumstances surrounding many abortion decisions. Studies suggest that over 60% of women feel coerced in some way to pursue an induced abortion.
The American Association of Pro-Life OB/GYNs does not support criminally charging women who did exactly what they were told for over 50 years: trust their doctors, embrace a choice sold as empowerment, or exercise a right granted to them, however unjust we know that “right” to be.
Our pro-abortion adversaries have already fear-mongered women into not seeking care – and doctors into not providing it – after an induced abortion, miscarriage, or ectopic pregnancy – even when no law prevents this. As medical professionals, we are deeply concerned that women will be even more fearful to seek care for complications from induced abortion (or even miscarriage) if punishment is a threat. As a movement, we should not finish what pro-abortion activists started.
If we are looking for someone to hold accountable, we should continue to look to those who are not coerced, not backed into a corner, and stand to lose nothing: those who provide abortions and abusers.