It has been an emotional few days following the announcement of The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The immediate impact of this ruling is essentially the end to a half-century guarantee of federal constitutional protection of abortion rights, allowing each state to decide whether to restrict or ban abortion. Ultimately, this is a decision robbing every woman and birth-giver of their rights to healthcare, safety and protection - a decision that once again shows the systematic oppression of women and minorities along with their right to consent. The stroke of a pen eviscerated women’s constitutional right to bodily autonomy and because of that, we are now facing deadly consequences.
For anyone having experienced domestic violence and abuse, this news can be particularly triggering in many ways. In abusive relationships, it is common to feel like you are not the one in control of your body or mind. Through manipulation, gaslighting and isolation, perpetrators can easily control both physical and mental actions, making the victim question their own body image and wellbeing and forcing the victim to engage in physical and sexual activities against their will. With this decision, SCOTUS has left victims around the world in pieces by manifesting their vicious need for power and control.
“A SCOTUS decision overturning Roe v. Wade would have a catastrophic impact on a person's ability to control their own bodies, lives and destinies, and being forced to carry a fetus would cause profound harm to victims and survivors of domestic violence both for the duration of the pregnancy and long after.” - Ruth M. Glenn, NCADV’s President & CEO
Many advocates and several organisations (such as Planned Parenthood) have been stating how abortion has often been the safest option for many experiencing intimate partner violence. Abusive partners often tightly control a victim’s reproductive choices by restricting the use of contraception or even engaging in physical and sexual assault. Pregnancy, childbirth, and childrearing all impose substantial physical and mental health, economic, and other life consequences, making it that much harder for survivors to leave abusive partners. Moreover, a shared child creates an enduring legal relationship between the abuser and the victim that is nearly impossible to sever.
People who are pregnant or recently gave birth are twice as likely to die by homicide than any other cause of maternal mortality, most often at the hands of an intimate partner. Domestic violence victims are among the least likely to be able to travel out of state or safely self-manage a medication abortion at home, leaving them no choice but to carry a pregnancy to term putting not only their own lives at risk but the child’s as well (K.T Grace, 2016).
“The overturning of Roe v Wade is incredibly heartbreaking. I feel betrayed by the government but am not surprised either since this has been building for years. I’m angry at the people who let it happen and I’m scared for the people whose lives will be forever changed by this sweeping decision. The effects of this will be felt for generations to come. Abusers will have even more power and control over their victims because of the lack of abortion access in so many states now” - R.M, part of The Healing Process community
Abortion is healthcare. Abortion saves lives. The battle to regain control of our bodies continues and it is more important than ever to support and check in on the people around you.
If you have any questions or are looking to support victims, go to https://www.plannedparenthood.org/ to learn more.
If you or someone around you are experiencing domestic abuse or feel unsafe, you can call Refuge’s 24-Hour Helpline: nationaldahelpline.org.uk / 0808 2000 247 or 999 in an emergency.
If you want to share your story or get in touch, email us at thealingprocess.contact@gmail.com
Sources
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/ https://www.texastribune.org/2022/06/24/domestic-violence-abortion/ https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/02/supreme-court-abortion-draft-opinion-00029473 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-61928898 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1524838016663935 https://ncadv.org/blog/posts/ncadv-disturbed-by-leaked-draft-of-scotus-majority-opinion-overturning-roe-v-wade https://wscadv.org/news/wscadv-statement-on-roe-v-wade-people-with-abusive-partners-deserve-freedom-and-options/
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