Abortion Law: Contacting The Right People For Information

Abortion laws vary across the world, with some countries criminalising the procedure and others protecting it as a human right. In the United States, the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022 gave individual states the power to restrict or ban abortions. This has resulted in a complex legal landscape, with abortion currently illegal in 13 states, while 21 states and Washington, D.C., protect the right to abortion. For those seeking an abortion, it can be challenging to navigate the legal restrictions and find accurate information. To make an informed decision, it is crucial to seek guidance from reputable organisations, such as Planned Parenthood, which provides resources and support for individuals with questions about abortion. Additionally, those interested in advocating for abortion rights can get involved through organisations like Amnesty International, which aims to achieve real and effective change through its 1000 Ways to Support Abortion Rights campaign.

Abortion laws by state

Abortion laws in the US vary significantly from state to state. In June 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which protected the federal constitutional right to abortion, giving states the power to restrict or ban abortion altogether.

Currently, abortion is illegal in 13 states, with varying exceptions. These include:

• Alabama, with exceptions to preserve the pregnant individual's life or physical health.
• Arkansas, with an exception for abortions necessary to save the pregnant individual's life.
• Florida, where abortion is illegal after 6 weeks, with exceptions for rape, incest, human trafficking, and fatal foetal abnormalities.
• Georgia, where abortion is illegal after 5 or 6 weeks, not counting a 24-hour waiting period.
• Idaho, with exceptions for rape, incest, and to save the pregnant individual's life.
• Indiana, with exceptions for fatal foetal abnormalities, to preserve the life and physical health of the pregnant individual, or in cases of rape or incest.
• Iowa, where abortion is illegal after 6 weeks, with exceptions for rape, incest, foetal abnormalities, and the pregnant individual's life.
• Kentucky, where abortion is illegal except when necessary to prevent the patient from dying, or to prevent permanent impairment of a "life-sustaining organ".
• Louisiana, where abortion is illegal except in cases of foetal abnormalities or when performed to save the pregnant individual's life.
• Mississippi, with exceptions when the pregnant person's life is in danger, as well as in rape cases.
• Missouri, where abortion is illegal, with exceptions when the pregnant person's life is severely at risk.
• Oklahoma, where abortion is illegal unless necessary to save the pregnant person's life.
• South Carolina, where abortion is illegal after the detection of a "foetal heartbeat", up to 5 or 6 weeks, not counting a 24-hour waiting period.
• South Dakota, with exceptions to "preserve the life of the pregnant female", given "appropriate and reasonable medical judgement".
• Tennessee, with exceptions to terminate molar or ectopic pregnancies, to remove a miscarriage, to save the life of someone who is pregnant, or to "prevent serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function".
• Texas, where abortion is illegal except when necessary to save the pregnant individual's life.

Abortion is legal in the following states, with some restrictions:

• Alaska, where abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy.
• Arizona, where abortion is legal up until the 15th week of pregnancy.
• California, where abortion is legal up to the point of foetal viability, or after that if necessary to preserve the life or health of the pregnant individual.
• Colorado, where abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy, but minors' parents or legal guardians must receive notice.
• Connecticut, where abortion is legal up to the point of foetal viability, or after that if necessary to preserve the life or health of the pregnant individual.
• Delaware, where abortion is legal up to the point of foetal viability, and parental notification is required for minors under 16.
• District of Columbia, where abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy, and minors are not required to notify a parent or guardian.
• Hawaii, where abortion is legal up to the point of foetal viability, or after that if necessary to preserve the life or health of the pregnant individual.
• Illinois, where abortion is legal up to the point of foetal viability, or after that if necessary to preserve the life or health of the pregnant individual.
• Kansas, where abortion is legal up to 22 weeks after the last menstrual period, and parental consent is required for minors.
• Maine, where abortion must be approved as necessary by a licensed physician after foetal viability, and parental notification is not required.
• Maryland, where abortion is legal throughout pregnancy, but parental notification is required for minors.
• Massachusetts, where abortion is legal up to 24 weeks, and after that only if a licensed physician determines it to be medically necessary. Parental consent is required for minors under 16.
• Michigan, where abortion is legal, but a physician's approval is needed after foetal viability, and parental consent is required for minors.
• Minnesota, where abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy, and parental notification is not required.
• Montana, where abortion is legal up to the point of foetal viability, pending the resolution of litigation over more restrictive laws passed by the state legislature.
• Nevada, where abortion is legal up to 24 weeks, and parental notification is not required.
• New Hampshire, where abortion is legal up to 24 weeks, and parental consent is required for minors.
• New Jersey, where abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy, and parental notification is not required.
• New Mexico, where abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy, and parental notification is not required.
• New York, where abortion is legal up to 24 weeks, and parental notification is not required.
• North Carolina, where abortion is illegal after the 12th week of pregnancy, but allowed through the 20th week in cases of rape or incest, through the 24th week in cases of "life-limiting" foetal abnormality, and at any stage if the pregnant individual's life is at risk. Parental consent is required for minors, but a judicial bypass is possible.
• Ohio, where abortion is legal up to viability, and after that only if necessary to protect the pregnant individual's life or health. Parental consent is required for minors.
• Oregon, where abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy.
• Pennsylvania, where abortion is legal up to 24 weeks, and parental consent is required for minors.
• Puerto Rico, where abortion is legal, and parental notification is not required.
• Rhode Island, where abortion is legal up to the point of fo

Criminalisation of abortion

The criminalisation of abortion is a complex and multifaceted issue that has sparked debates and protests worldwide. It is important to recognise that abortion is a medical procedure that ends a pregnancy and is considered basic healthcare for millions of people who can get pregnant. The criminalisation of abortion not only affects those seeking abortions but also those assisting them. While laws vary across countries, some common barriers and implications related to the criminalisation of abortion include:

• Legal Penalties: In some countries, such as Equatorial Guinea and Zambia, people who seek or assist with abortions may face severe legal consequences, including life imprisonment.
• Restricted Access: Criminalisation often limits access to safe abortion services, forcing people to resort to unsafe and clandestine abortions, particularly in developing countries. This can lead to fatal consequences, maternal deaths, and disabilities.
• Social Stigma: Even in countries where abortion is recently decriminalised, such as Northern Ireland, social stigma, conservative attitudes, and religious objections from medical staff can create obstacles to accessing abortion care.
• Marginalisation: The criminalisation of abortion disproportionately impacts those who are already marginalised, including people with low incomes, refugees, migrants, LGBTIQ+ individuals, and racialised and Indigenous communities. They may face additional challenges in seeking safe services or accessing private care.
• Health Risks: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the rate of unsafe abortions is four times higher in countries with restrictive abortion laws. These unsafe abortions can lead to short-term and long-term health complications and even death.
• Human Rights Violations: Criminalising abortion undermines fundamental human rights, including the right to life, health, bodily autonomy, and non-discrimination. It puts the lives and well-being of pregnant people at risk and can result in degrading treatment.
• Economic and Social Barriers: In addition to legal restrictions, people seeking abortions may face economic and social barriers, such as the cost of travel to another country or state and the inability to take time off work for appointments.
• Impact on Marginalised Communities: The criminalisation of abortion has a compounding effect on marginalised communities, who already face social, economic, and political conditions that hinder their ability to exercise reproductive autonomy.
• Limited Exceptions: Some countries allow abortions only in specific circumstances, such as pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, severe fetal abnormalities, or threats to the pregnant person's life or health. However, these narrow exceptions do not cover the majority of abortions, restricting most people from fully exercising their reproductive rights.
• Chilling Effect: Criminalisation creates a "chilling effect," deterring healthcare providers from offering the best care options and discouraging pregnant people from seeking post-abortion care for complications.

The criminalisation of abortion has far-reaching consequences and affects individuals from all walks of life. It is essential to address these barriers and work towards guaranteeing abortion rights and protecting the health and well-being of those seeking abortions.

Social stigma of abortion

Abortion stigma is a set of attitudes and beliefs that abortion is "bad, shameful, or wrong". It creates discomfort around the topic, which contributes to misinformation and a lack of knowledge. This stigma is weaponized to create barriers to abortion, such as laws that restrict access, institutions that limit knowledge, and popular media that perpetuates misleading representations.

Abortion stigma is about the "transgression of a gendered norm", which refers to the social expectations imposed on women, people assigned female at birth, and people with feminine gender expressions. These norms include the expectation of sexual purity and the expectation of motherhood and nurturing. Having an abortion shows that someone had sex and did not become a parent.

Even in countries where abortion is legal, it might be difficult to access due to factors like cost, distance to services, social stigma, or religiously reinforced conservative attitudes. For example, medical staff might refuse to provide abortions on the grounds of conscience or religion.

Abortion stigma has important implications for the quality of abortion care. Four overarching themes linked to abortion stigma are:

• Abortion as a sin and other religious views
• Regulation of abortion
• Judgment, labelling, and marking
• Shame, denial, and secrecy

These themes can manifest in the following ways, which inhibit quality abortion care:

• Poor treatment and repercussions
• Gatekeeping and obstruction of access
• Avoiding disclosure
• Arduous and unnecessary requirements
• Poor infrastructure and lack of resources
• Punishment and threats
• Lack of a designated place for abortion services

Abortion stigma is powerful, but it can be reduced. People can take action to help, such as sharing their stories, volunteering, and using inclusive language when writing about abortion.

Abortion rights defenders

Amnesty International is one organization actively defending abortion rights. They have campaigns such as 1000 Ways to Support Abortion Rights, which aims to find creative ways to spread awareness that abortion rights are human rights. They also call out tech giants like Meta and TikTok for removing information about abortion, preventing people from accessing vital information.

The Green Wave, or Marea Verde, is a feminist and human rights movement that has successfully pushed for the legalization of abortion in Latin America. Their efforts have brought about significant changes to abortion laws in the region, with Argentina being a key example.

In the United States, the Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 aims to protect individuals' ability to determine whether to continue or end a pregnancy and safeguard healthcare providers' ability to offer abortion services. The act addresses various issues, such as blockades of health facilities, restrictions on insurance coverage, parental involvement laws, and medically unnecessary regulations that delay and complicate access to abortion services.

Additionally, organizations like Planned Parenthood provide support and resources for individuals seeking information or help regarding abortion. They offer step-by-step checklists, answers to common questions, and access to professional and caring staff at their health centers.

Abortion services

Planned Parenthood:

Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organisation that provides reproductive health services, including abortion care. They offer a range of services, such as pregnancy testing, options counselling, and abortion procedures. Their website provides information on the different types of abortion procedures, such as the abortion pill and in-clinic abortions. You can also find a Planned Parenthood health centre near you and schedule an appointment. They also offer support and resources for people with questions or concerns about abortion, including a 24/7 helpline (1-800-230-7526) and online chat services with sexual health educators.

Online Resources and Chatbots:

There are several online resources and chatbots that can provide you with information and support regarding abortion services. Charley, a nonprofit chatbot, offers anonymous and confidential information on how and where to access abortion care anywhere in the United States. Additionally, the Guttmacher Institute provides an interactive map with up-to-date information on abortion policies and access in different states.

Women's Health Protection Act:

The Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 is a federal law in the United States that aims to protect individuals' ability to determine whether to continue or end a pregnancy and safeguard healthcare providers' ability to offer abortion services. This law ensures that abortion services are accessible to everyone, regardless of their location, and protects the right of healthcare providers to offer these services without undue restrictions.

International Organisations:

If you are located outside the United States, organisations such as Amnesty International can provide information and support regarding abortion services in your country. They have resources and campaigns focused on reproductive rights and justice, addressing issues such as criminalisation, social stigma, and intersectional discrimination.

It is important to remember that abortion laws and access to services can vary depending on your location. Always seek information from reputable sources, such as official government websites or non-profit organisations, to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Frequently asked questions