Domestic Violence & Abortion
28 Oct, 2019
Every day, countless women are subjected to horrible abuse and rendered victims of domestic violence. In many cases, a woman might find herself experiencing an unexpected pregnancy through her abuser. In this particular situation, feelings of horror, trepidation and hopelessness may take prevalence. Others tell her that if she were to go through with having this child, the abuser would have a stronger hold over her– whether financially or mentally. During these times when a woman is at one of her most fragile states, the abortion industry endeavors to make her believe that the only “solution” here is to abort the unborn child.
Many claim and believe that if a victim of domestic violence were to go through with her unexpected pregnancy it would give her abuser more control, but this is not true On the contrary, she would be enabling her abuser to now pressure her enough to take the life of an innocent human being. He has now been successful in building himself up to be a formidable, overbearing presence in her life.. Should she find herself in this situation, she is not at an impasse. Despite what others may tell her, she has other options available to her.
If a woman were to express that she was in an abusive relationship, Your Options Medical places her safety as a top priority and would strive to find her a place to stay, whether that be at a maternity home, shelter or another place designated to aid women in these exact situations. Contrary to popular pro-choice beliefs, we do not and cannot “force” women to have a child they do not want; however, we do find it both helpful and ethical to present the other options available to women who are considering having an abortion. Should a woman approach us and claim that she needs the abortion procedure, our staff would inquire as to why she believes that is her only option and then proceed from there.
An estimated 95 percent of the time, the women we see are unmarried and usually working or living on welfare; however, if her reason is connected to financial dependency on her abuser or that she simply has no financial, physical or mental support to care for a child, we would inform her about her adoption options. Unexpected pregnancies often come with unexpected costs to account for as well as additional stresses on the woman. Thankfully, many adoption agencies not only help in the process of adoption but also offer financial and emotional support for the mother during her pregnancy. These options can cover pregnancy-related costs and provide resources to help her move to other housing.
As October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, we should strive to be aware of the struggles women face regarding this issue. The fact that these women are told that abortion is their only way out of this situation is simply untrue Those who tell this false information to women are taking away her other options and inadvertently prohibiting the woman from her own right to choose for herself.
It’s sad to see that people can turn an issue as serious and real as domestic violence into a heated debate between pro-lifers and pro-choicers. It is not about you. The bigger issue here is that many victims of domestic violence deem themselves as worthless and completely deserving of the abuse. Furthermore, a myriad of women believe that there is no way out of that abusive relationship and thus feel coerced to stay. Instead of attacking those who have differing views, dedicating the time and heart to help these women in this situation by truly offering them all of their options should take priority.
One of the worst feelings in the world is that you have no choice. Therefore, be compelled to present to her all the options available, find the proper resources to help her get out of that abusive situation and ensure that she is truly in good hands afterwards.
To the women who might be currently in this situation, abortion may seem like a faster option, but it is not your only option. Do not be afraid to speak out, to use your voice and to ask for help. Those of us at organizations like Your Options Medical are here for you. Additionally, if you are a part of a church and family of believers in Christ, do not be afraid to voice your worries and fears. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Abortion seems like the simpler choice as it appears to be quicker and consisting of less steps. However, in many of the obstacles and trials life throws our way, baby steps in the right direction are often what help us come out stronger. Remember that you have other options available to you, there is hope, and you are not alone.