Under Florida’s proposed six week abortion ban law, rape victims would have to show evidence of that crime if they want an exception to the law. Critics say that this provision in Florida’s law would further traumatize rape victims. Proof of the crime includes: a copy of a restraining order, police report, medical record or court document to obtain an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. And, if a rape or incest victim doesn’t find out she’s pregnant by the 15 weeks gestation, she will be forced to carry her product of rape or incest to full term.
Kim S. Ménard, a Penn State Altoona criminal justice professor who studies sexual violence commented about rape victims who often don’t file reports with law enforcement and the authorities.
“It is appalling,” she said. “It sets up incredible barriers. Most of the time victims don’t have the strength, given the stigma society puts on them, to come forward, period — to come forward for the most basic help.”
Only about 20% of rapes and sexual assaults are reported to police, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Supporters of the bill say they want to defend “the rights of the unborn,” and the exceptions will allow rape and incest victims to obtain abortions.
Gov. DeFascist hasn’t committed to signing the bill into laws but said he found the exceptions “sensible” and that he wants to sign additional anti-abortion legislation.
