Texas: The State of Controlling Women’s Reproductive Rights

Once again women’s reproductive freedoms are being controlled and policed- this time in one of the most restrictive abortion laws America has seen. 

In May, the “Heartbeat Act” was signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and after the Supreme Court did not respond to an emergency appeal by abortion providers- the act is now in effect. 

What is the abortion law? 

The “Heartbeat Act” now in effect in Texas prohibits abortions after six weeks of pregnancy- which for many women is a point at which they do not yet know they are pregnant. The new law has more of an uncommon approach to abortion- given that it allows any private citizen to sue anyone who “aids and abets” an illegal abortion. 

The one exception that has been given to the law is in the case of a medical emergency, but that must come with written and signed proof from a doctor. Pregnancy as a result of rape or incest is also not counted as a “medical emergency.” 

This law also allows people who have not been harmed or affected by the act of abortion taking place- the right to sue. Any ordinary American, that can prove someone has “aided and abetted” an illegal abortion is able to seek up to $10,000 in damages in civil court against the provider of the abortion, the doctor involved, and possibly- anyone else who was involved. This includes anyone who has simply given the women a ride to a clinic, clinic administration, or someone who has aided the women financially for an abortion. Private citizens who decided to bring these suits to the civil jury do not need to show any connection to the case, so literally, ANYONE can sue. 

How will they know if a woman has accessed an illegal abortion?

Texas Right to Life, an anti-abortion organisation in Texas has created a website dedicated to people anonymously reporting anyone seeking or performing abortions. ProLifeWhistleBlower.com allows people to “tip-off” any possible violations of the new law. 

With this new law, a rapist can rape his victim in Texas and collect $10,000 if that rape results in a pregnancy and the woman tries to abort the foetus after six weeks. Are we going to ignore just how fucked up that is? 

What will the women of Texas do now?

A woman who resides in the country of Texas, who needs access to an abortion clinic after the six-week mark of pregnancy will need to cross state lines to do so. Again, at six weeks of pregnancy, you barely know you are pregnant, with many women not realising until 8-10 weeks gestation. 

The state of Texas has not stopped abortion- they have simply stopped women from having adequate access to safe abortions.