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We
abhor and condemn any coerced abortion, whether the coercion is physical,
economic, psychological, or in any other form.
Vice President Al Gore, "Meet the Press," 1994
In a 1995 speech referring to "appalling abuses …being committed against women - including coerced abortions….," then-Ambassador Madeleine Albright said, "Some say this is all cultural and there's nothing we can do about it. I say it's criminal and it's the responsibility of each and every one of us to stop it."
Michigan House
of Representatives Passes Historic Anti-Coercion Legislation
Feminists for Life Watches for Senate Action
Feminists for Life applauds the passage of the Coercive Abortion Prevention Act and four related bills by the Michigan state House of Representatives on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 by an overwhelming 67-38 vote.
The bills, introduced by five women legislators, would make it illegal for anyone to intimidate or coerce a woman or girl into an abortion and require those who perform abortions to screen for intimidation or coercion A 24-hour waiting period (which is already the law) would be implemented if there is evidence of either, and information must be given to her about domestic violence shelters, her right to sue and referral to the authorities. Penalties would include jail time and/or fines. (A synopsis of each bill follows).
"We appreciate the leadership of these five women who introduced these ground-breaking bills, and hope that this will serve as a model to inspire others to take similar actions," said Feminists for Life President Serrin Foster. By advocating for the Coercive Abortion Prevention Act, Feminists for Life continues its efforts to end the abuse of women. In 2003, Foster testified as an expert witness before Congress in support of Laci and Connor's Law (named after Laci Peterson who was pregnant with Connor at the time they were murdered by her husband). Feminists for Life was the only pro-life organization active in the task force that helped to pass the Violence Against Women Act in 1998.
If enacted, the five anti-coercion bills would take effect in Michigan on October 1, 2006.
"Now it is up to the Senate," said Foster. "Women who have suffered a coerced abortion will be watching-including pregnant women who were coerced through physical violence and those who suffer the invisible scars from threats of withholding the resources and support by those they counted on the most. They know from experience, women deserve better."
Feminists for Life proudly continues the tradition of the early American feminists such as Susan B. Anthony who urged colleagues to address the root causes of abortion-including coercion.
Right to Life of Michigan consulted with Feminists for Life as they developed this ground-breaking legislation, similar to the Michigan-FFL teamwork that led to state and national legislation to support pregnant and parenting student services. In 2004 Michigan passed the first legislation in the country to support colleges and universities that establish offices to aid pregnant and parenting students. The legislation was inspired by Serrin Foster's keynote address to the bipartisan Pro-Life Women Legislators Caucus, an event sponsored by Right to Life of Michigan in October 1999. The Elizabeth Cady Stanton Act introduced by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole and U.S. Representative Melissa Hart in 2005 was modeled after Michigan's bill and enjoys bipartisan support.
Overview of the five anti-coercion bills passed in Michigan on July 26, 2006:
Representative Barb Bender Veen first introduced House Bill 5879 which would establish a mandatory procedure in which the woman would have to sign a statement that she understands that it is illegal for anyone to coerce or intimidate her into an abortion. If there is evidence of coercion or intimidation, the doctor (or qualified assistant) would be required to implement the 24 hours waiting period, (which is already the law.) The Department of Community Health will prepare notices in English, Arabic, and Spanish and provided to clinics and other facilities performing abortions.
House Bill 5880, which was introduced by Representative Leslie Mortimer, will establish procedures to ensure that the woman is not seeking an abortion due to intimidation or coercion by the father of the unborn child, her family, employer or other individual in a position of authority. She must be informed that it is illegal and asked if she was intimidated, coerced or forced to seek the abortion. The doctor would have to provide the patient with information about contacting local or state law enforcement and about domestic violence shelters or support organizations available in the event of any actual or threatened physical abuse or violence. The doctor would also inform the patient that the intimidation or coercion is grounds for a civil action and that she could receive financial compensation for her damages. If the patient who is subject to intimidation or coercion is under 18 years of age, the physician or assistant would be required to contact a county child protective services agency where the child lives. Notices that it is illegal to coerce or intimidate a woman into an abortion must be posted in a conspicuous place accessible to patients, employers and visitors.
House Bill 5881, introduced by Rep. Fran Amoswould, would amend the Revised Judicature Act to allow the woman to recover damages for emotional distress. The woman would have three years to sue for damages. If the woman experienced coerced abortion as a minor, she has a year from the time she turns 18 to make a claim.
Rep. Judy Emmons introduced the Coercive Abortion Prevention Act, House Bill 5882, under which a person could not attempt to compel a pregnant female to seek an abortion by committing or threatening physical violence or harassing her to reasonably feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, or harassed.
Finally, House Bill 5883, which was introduced by Rep. Shelley Goodman Taub, made complementary amendments to the sentencing guidelines provisions in the Code of Criminal Procedure.
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Click here to read the archived press release on Michigan's anti-coercion legislation.
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Feminists for Life is a 501(c) 3 organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Thank you!
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