The “Abortion Abolitionist” Movement and the Practical Application of Law

Everyone in the pro-life movement agrees that abortion is the taking of an innocent life. So why is Focus on the Family and other pro-life groups opposed to prosecuting women for killing their preborn child? Why are you against the “abortion abolitionist” movement?

ANSWER:

We appreciate your pro-life convictions. Like you, we believe that life begins at fertilization and that a baby in the womb is a person in every sense of the word. In our view, abortion always entails the taking of an innocent life and should be illegal.

But does this mean that we would call for the prosecution, punishment, and imprisonment of women who might seek abortions in defiance of legal prohibitions? Absolutely not.

Pregnant women are victims of the abortion industry

Historically, laws prohibiting abortion in the United States have called for prosecuting the abortionist rather than the pregnant woman. That’s because women traditionally have been recognized as second victims (along with their baby) of the abortion.

Without question, the abortion industry is guilty not only of preying on innocent babies in the womb, but of preying on women, as well.

Support for women who face unplanned pregnancies

Through our Option Ultrasound Program and other pro-life efforts, Focus on the Family is committed to ministering with compassion and support to women who face unexpected pregnancies. Legal opposition to abortion should focus on the abortion industry — not on vulnerable women.

Our views on this matter are reflected in the following statement from Heartbeat International, a global network of pro-life organizations:

Pregnancy help organizations cannot both openly advocate for criminalizing women and remain safe harbors for them… The call to criminalize women for abortion, however well-intentioned, directly conflicts with the heart of pregnancy help. Such measures would undermine the trust that allows women to reach out for support and would erode the safe, compassionate spaces that define the movement.

We encourage you to read Heartbeat International’s full statement on this important topic: Heartbeat: Criminalizing Women for Abortion Conflicts with the Heart of Pregnancy Help. And if you have more questions and think it might be helpful to discuss them at greater length, you can call Focus on the Family’s counseling staff at 1-855-771-HELP (4357).