Category: Sexual Assault Victims

Sandra Mahkorn, who has studied women who have become pregnant as a result of rape says the following in New Perspectives on Human Abortion:

“Perhaps as a result of their own biases or an unwillingness to deal with the more emotionally difficult and demanding complications of a pregnant victim, many physicians curtly dismiss the issue by prescribing abortion in these cases as one would prescribe aspirin, fluids, and bed rest for a cold. Ironically, those purporting to promote respect for the sexual assault victim too often propose a paternalistic attitude when the question of pregnancy arises. A sensitive awareness of the individual is abandoned with many of the so-called quick and easy solutions… In the majority of these cases, it appears that the pregnant victim’s problems stem more from the trauma of rape rather than from the pregnancy itself.”

Stephen Currie. Opposing Viewpoints Digests: Abortion (San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, 2000) 106

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Incidentally,another rape counselor, Joan Kemp, was quoted saying:

“After sexual assault there is, for varying lengths of time, a natural revulsion toward anything associated with the rape. That may include the location, or characteristics of the rapist such as clothing, race, mustache, etc. It is normal for this feeling to attach to the unborn child conceived in rape. However, these feelings normally fade with time. When this does not happen spontaneously, counseling with someone qualified to treat rape victims is highly effective. Rape victims I have worked with were quite aware and distressed by the inappropriateness of these feelings. They would not, for instace, have welcomed anyone telling them that men of their attacker’s race are natural criminals. Nor do women welcome being told that their children conceived in rape are unworthy of life, genetically prone to crime, and bound to feel unwanted and bitter. A person in crisis is seeking positive solutions, not a counsel of despair.”

21. Joan Kemp “Abortion: The Second Rape” SisterLife, Winter 1990 Feminists for Life of America, 811 E. 47th St. Kansas City, MO 64100

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It should also be noted that there have been only two studies of those who became pregnant after sexual assault. Reardon’s and one other, which was conducted by Dr. Sandra Mahkorn, who is an experienced rape counselor. Her study indicated that of women who become pregnant due to rape, a large number (70%) rejected abortion as an option and instead had their babies. Based on her research, Dr. Mahkorn concluded that:

“[This study indicates] that pregnancy need not impede the victim’s resolution of the trauma; rather, with loving support, nonjudgemental attitudes, and empathic communication, healthy emotional and psychological responses are possible despite the added burden or pregnancy.”

Sandra Kathleen Mahkorn, M.D. and William V. Dolan, M.D. “Sexual Assault and Pregnancy” in Thomas Hulgers, Dennis Horan and David Mall, “New Perspectives on Human Abortion” (Frederick, MD: University Publications of America) 1981, 194

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Another incest victim who had an abortion said:

“I had hoped someone would question me before my abortion. But, I was not asked why I chose abortion. If I had been questioned at all, someone would have heard quite a story…I feel the state let me down….If abortion had been questioned in my case, I may have had a baby. I may have been happier. I may not have gone through the suicide attempts. I know that abortion has long term affects on women…”

David C. Reardon, Julie Makimaa, and Amy Sobie. “Victims and Victors: Speaking Out About Their Pregnancies, Abortions, and Children Resulting From Sexual Assault” Springfield, IL: Acorn Books) 2000 p 138

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Another incest victim who had an abortion said:

“I have talked with pro-lifers who consider my abortion acceptable, under the circumstances. I want to tell people “If you really want to be compassionate, give this mother the opportunity to choose life for her child. If you really love the mothers who have been victimized, don’t let them be exploited again by someone who will make a profit from their dead child- a memory that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.”

David C. Reardon, Julie Makimaa, and Amy Sobie. “Victims and Victors: Speaking Out About Their Pregnancies, Abortions, and Children Resulting From Sexual Assault” Springfield, IL: Acorn Books) 2000 p 125

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Edith Young, a 12-year old incest victim who became pregnant when her stepfather assaulted her, writes this 25 years after her abortion:

“Throughout the years I have been depressed, suicidal, furious, outraged, lonely, and have felt a sense of loss…Often I cry. Cry because I could not stop the attacks. Cry because my daughter is dead. And I cry because it still hurts….As you can see, the abortion which was to ‘be in my best interest’ just has not been. As far as I can tell, it only ‘saved their reputation’ ‘solved their problems’ and allowed their lives to go merrily on.”

David C. Reardon “Aborted Women: Silent No More” (Chicago: Loyola University Press) 1987, 217-218

 

 

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An incest victim writing under the pseudonym “Mary Jean Doe” says:

“Abortion on demand, no questions asked, makes it easier for incest and child abuse to continue. Abortion for incest victims sounds compassionate, but in practice it is simply another violent and deceptive tool in the hand of the abuser.”

Mary Jean Doe “Incest and the Abortion Clinic” The American Feminist, Vol. 4 (4) Winter 1997-98, 15-16

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A woman who identified herself as “Patricia Ryan” who had an abortion after her rape said that the abortion led to emotional suffering. She said:

“Given my own experience, I would definitely discourage a woman from having an abortion following rape or incest. While it may appear to be the quickest, easiest solution to a painful, humiliating “problem,” it is only a band-aid approach and has terrible ramifications of its own.”

David C. Reardon, Julie Makimaa, and Amy Sobie. “Victims and Victors: Speaking Out About Their Pregnancies, Abortions, and Children Resulting From Sexual Assault” Springfield, IL: Acorn Books) 2000 p 57

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Another woman who was raped and had her baby, identified as Sharon “Baily” says:

“There is no doubt in my mind that abortion should be discouraged. Abortion is a terrible way of dealing with a pregnancy resulting from rape, although I suppose it is a way for people to ignore the victim and her needs.”

David C. Reardon, Julie Makimaa, and Amy Sobie. “Victims and Victors: Speaking Out About Their Pregnancies, Abortions, and Children Resulting From Sexual Assault” Springfield, IL: Acorn Books) 2000 p 89

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