In 2019 and 2021 there was a lot of discussion about putting exceptions for rape and incest in Arkansas’ pro-life laws.
Rape and incest are evil.
A woman who is raped is a victim in every sense of the word, and only about 2%–5% of all abortions are performed because of rape of incest.
In light of that, it’s easy for some elected officials to justify abortion in these situations.
But there are serious problems with permitting abortion in cases of rape or incest.
Below are a few points to consider.
The Unborn Baby is Totally Innocent
An unborn boy or girl has no control over how he or she was conceived.
These are living human beings.
It is not right to kill an unborn baby because the baby’s father was a rapist.
Abortion Does Not Heal the Harm That Rape and Incest Cause
Abortion doesn’t heal the wounds that rape or incest leave behind.
Abortion takes the life of an unborn baby, and it carries serious risks for the woman.
Abortion is not a quick fix. Its consequences are very serious.
Rapists Have No Legal Claim to Their Victims or Their Victims’ Children
Under Arkansas law, a rapist has no legal claim to his victim or the children of his victim.
That means a woman or girl who becomes pregnant because of rape can keep the child or put the child up for adoption, but she does not have to consult the rapist or share custody with him.
Arkansas law is very clear on that point.
Additionally, state courts can take other appropriate action to protect victims of rape or incest.
Abortion Helps Conceal Rape and Incest From Authorities
Sexual predators sometimes coerce their victims into having abortions to conceal rape or incest.
In 2016 abortionist Ulrich Klopfer admitted to the Indiana Medical Licensing Board that he once performed an abortion on a 10-year-old girl from Illinois who had been raped by her uncle. Dr. Klopfer did not report the crime to law enforcement.
He let the girl go home to her parents who knew about the rape and had decided not to prosecute. As far as we can tell, that girls’ uncle was never brought to justice.
Abortion helps conceal evil crimes like these.
