Protect expectant mothers from violence and coercion

Forced abortion, or coerced abortion, is one of the abortion industry’s dirty little secrets. Even though Planned Parenthood and other abortionists deny it, post-abortive women confirm the grim truth that most abortions—nearly two out of three—involve pressure, coercion or even violence against pregnant women.

Pregnancy is a vulnerable time for a woman; the threat of forced abortion greatly increases her vulnerability physically, emotionally and mentally. Pregnant women have a right to be safe and protected from any threat of violence or coercion.

A forced abortion, or coerced abortion, occurs when a woman undergoes an abortion against her own wishes. Coercion often involves the threat of physical harm, blackmail or other acts in order to force a pregnant girl or woman to have an abortion.

Coercion facts:

• 64 percent of abortions involve some sort of coercion.
• 45 percent of men interviewed at abortion clinics recalled urging abortion, including 37 percent of married men.
• Teens are at higher risk for becoming victims of coerced abortion.

According to researcher David Reardon, women give these reasons, among others, for undergoing abortion:

• Forced by their mother, father, husband or boyfriend
• Lack of support from social network
• Persuaded / pressured by abortion center

Coercion can escalate to violence

One of the most well-known stories of violence against a pregnant woman is the Scott Peterson case. Peterson was convicted for the murder of his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner. Every day, pregnant women are the victims of violence and even murder.

In 2007, Nathan Dale Hubert beat his pregnant girlfriend, Sheila Chrast, to death. She was found dead in her Sauk Rapids, Minn., apartment on Mother’s Day.

Facts:

• Murder is the leading cause of death among pregnant women.
• Pregnant women are at a higher risk of being attacked.
• 92 percent of women say domestic violence and assault is the women’s issue of greatest concern to them.

Extreme cases of coercion

In 1995, a pregnant employee at Duluth (Minn.) Little Stores was mistreated and threatened by a supervisor in an attempt to force the employee to abort her baby. In fact he threatened to push her down a flight of stairs if she didn't get an abortion.  She was six months pregnant at the time.

In Florida, Glenda Dowis was sentenced to two years community service after she pleaded guilty to forcing her daughter at gunpoint to go to an abortion clinic. Clinic workers called the police, but police said Dowis told staff to perform the abortion even though her daughter “may seem a bit teary.”

In Arizona, a judge found Planned Parenthood negligent for failing to report an abortion on a 13-year-old girl who was sexually abused by her 23-year-old foster brother. Shawn Stephens took the girl to the clinic, but Planned Parenthood did not notify authorities until the girl returned six months later for a second abortion. A lawsuit alleged that the girl was subjected to repeated abuse and a second abortion because of the clinic’s failure to report suspected abuse. Stephens was sentenced to prison and lifetime probation.

Help MCCL protect pregnant women

MCCL supports legislation to stop abortionists from performing abortions on women who have been coerced or threatened with violence. Please help MCCL inform lawmakers and citizens about this real and dangerous threat to the lives and health of women. We need your compassion and generous contributions to ensure that pregnant women are protected from forced abortions.

Please download and distribute a brochure with this information to spread the word about the reality of forced abortions!

More information on coercion

An in-depth report and more research regarding forced abortions is available at the Elliot Institute.