On June 24, 2022, The Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade which protected the right to an abortion at a federal level since January 22, 1973. We at ARO are here to support all individuals who may be in an abusive relationship or situation, and we are here to help those who need assistance during these uncertain times. As laws and regulations shift, we aim to offer a helping hand, an ear to listen, or a guide to anyone who needs assistance.

State Regulations & How to Support
by- Whitney Derman

If you do not currently know your state’s legislations and laws on abortion, here is some information on what each state is planning to do in relation to overturning Roe v. Wade. The following states and United States territories protect access to abortions through their state legislations until the viability of the fetus is confirmed and if the mother’s life is in danger: Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C (Butler & Avery, 2022).

In the following states, continued access to abortion is still subject to change either due to upcoming referendums to be voted on, appeals to be voted by state supreme Courts, or old laws that existed pre-Roe V. Wade: Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana. Kansas will vote on an amendment in August 2022 and Kentucky in November 2022; Michigan has a 1931 law banning abortions that could take effect, but their Governor has said that it goes against the state constitution and thus is not likely. In Montana, Planned Parenthood is currently challenging laws made in 2021 in court. Nebraska has a trigger law that failed in February, but their state legislature may revote on it. In Puerto Rico, lawmakers are currently debating a law banning abortions after 22 weeks. West Virginia and Wisconsin both have laws from the 19th century outlawing abortion, but it is unlikely that they will end up upholding these regulations (Butler & Avery, 2022).

Roe V. Wade protected access to abortions at the national level. Still, many state governments created laws that would go into effect if the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, which outlaw or put extreme restrictions on abortions. As Roe v. Wade has been overturned, here is some information about the laws now in place:

Arizona: “A law signed by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey in March bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy except if necessary to save the mother’s life. Physicians performing abortions face felony charges and loss of their professional licenses” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

Arkansas: “A 2019 law, HB 318, makes providing an abortion a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to $100,000. There are exceptions in cases of life-threatening pregnancies” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

Georgia: “A 2019 Georgia law bans most abortions once cardiac activity has been detected in an embryo, generally at about six or seven weeks. There are exceptions for cases of rape or incest when a police report has been filed, and when a pregnancy has been deemed ‘medically futile’ by a physician. The state requires counseling, parental consent for minors, ultrasound and a 24-hour waiting period” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

Idaho: “In March 2022, Idaho lawmakers passed a bill modeled on a Texas law banning all abortions after six weeks” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

Indiana: “Indiana technically allows abortions up to 22 weeks of pregnancy, but lawmakers have added strict limitations, including bans on abortion medication after 10 weeks and requirements for state-directed counseling and ultrasound at least 18 hours before an abortion” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

Mississippi: “A trigger law passed in 2007 outlaws all abortions except in cases of rape or to save the life of the patient. The law goes into effect on July 7, 2022, though it faces a lawsuit from Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the plaintiff in the Supreme Court and the only abortion clinic in the state” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

Missouri: “Missouri invoked a trigger law banning all abortions in the state, with an exception if the life of the woman is at stake but not in cases of rape or incest. The law makes inducing an abortion a class B felony, with a possible prison sentence of five to 15 years. Abortion providers can also have their medical licenses suspended or revoked” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

North Carolina: “A law banning abortions after 20 weeks is now in effect. The state also mandates several restrictions, including parental consent for minors, ultrasound, mandatory state-directed counseling and a 72-hour waiting period” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

North Dakota: “North Dakota’s trigger law, passed in 2013, goes into effect 30 days after the Attorney General certifies the Supreme Court has restored to the states the authority to prohibit abortion. It makes terminating a pregnancy a Class C felony punishable by a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, except to save the life of the mother or in the case of rape or incest” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

Ohio: “On June 24, a federal judge lifted an injunction against Ohio’s so-called “fetal heartbeat” law, which bans abortion after the detection of fetal cardiac activity — about six weeks into a pregnancy — with an exception if the life of the patient is at stake but not in cases of rape or incest. Healthcare providers found guilty of performing an abortion could face felony charges and up to a year in prison” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

Oklahoma: “A trigger law goes into effect on Aug. 26 that increases the penalties to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $100,000. The statute makes exceptions for miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, to save the life of the patient and if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest that has been reported to law enforcement. It is also aimed at medical professionals — a woman having an abortion would not be charged” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

South Carolina: “South Carolina outlaws abortions after six weeks, with exceptions for rape or incest” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

South Dakota: “A trigger law passed in 2005 bans abortions except in the case of life-threatening pregnancies” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

Tennessee: “A trigger law passed in 2019 effectively bans all abortions in Tennessee, except in the case of life-threatening pregnancies. It’s set to go into effect 30 days after the overturn of Roe v. Wade (Butler & Avery, 2022).

Texas: “In 2021, Texas passed a trigger law that criminalizes almost all abortions after six weeks except to save the life of the pregnant patient or if they risk “substantial impairment of major bodily function. The law, which makes providing an abortion punishable by up to life in prison and fines of up to $100,000, is set to take effect no sooner than 30 days after Roe v. Wade is overturned” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

Utah: “A trigger law passed in 2020 makes performing an abortion a second-degree felony in Utah, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. It took effect immediately after the Supreme Court announced its ruling on June 24, 2022. There are exceptions in the case of rape, incest or a life-threatening pregnancy” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

Wyoming: “A trigger law that outlaws all abortions except in the case of life-threatening pregnancies” (Butler & Avery, 2022).

If you are from a state affected by the end of Roe v. Wade or are looking to help make a positive difference in the lives of the women and girls who are impacted, please check out the following resources. All of the mentioned organizations provide help and resources to women in need and are unable to obtain assistance easily in their state.

The Yellowhammer Fund is a nonprofit “abortion fund and reproductive justice organization serving Alabama, Mississippi, and the Deep South…Yellowhammer seeks to meet the needs of those living in or traveling to Alabama for reproductive healthcare needs, providing financial and practical support for those who are pregnant and require assistance. We offer funding for abortion services, travel needs, food and lodging and other expenses that often hinder a person’s ability to easily access their right to an abortion” (Hanson).

National Network of Abortion Funds “builds power with members to remove financial and logistical barriers to abortion access by centering people who have abortions and organizing at the intersections of racial, economic, and reproductive justice” (National Network of abortion funds 2022). They envision a world where “every reproductive decision, including abortion, takes place in thriving communities that are safe, peaceful, and affordable. We envision a world where all people have the power and resources to care for and affirm their bodies, identities, and health for themselves and their families — in all areas of their lives. As we shift the conversation about abortion, it will become a real option, accessible without shame or judgment” (National Network of abortion funds 2022).

ARC SouthEast works to “provide funding and logistical support to ensure Southerners receive safe and compassionate reproductive care including abortion services. Through education and leadership development, we build power in communities of color to abolish stigma and restore dignity and justice” (ARC Southeast). They “envision a world where all Southerners have full access to care and support around their reproductive health decisions without biases or barriers” (ARC Southeast).

Sources
ARC Southeast. (n.d.). Do you need funding or logistical support with an abortion? https://arc-southeast.org/

Butler, P. & Avery, D. (2022, June 30). Which states is abortion illegal in now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned? CNET. https://www.cnet.com/health/abortion-laws-in-every-state-now-that-roe-v-wade-is-overturned/

Hanson, E. (n.d.). Home. Yellowhammer Fund. https://www.yellowhammerfund.org/

Network of abortion funds. (2022, June 25). National Network of Abortion Funds. https://abortionfunds.org/

Protecting Pregnant Teens
By Roxanne Guiney

In the decades under the protection of Roe v. Wade through today, many states have required pregnant minors to notify or obtain permission from their parents to have an abortion. Family involvement can put many of these girls in danger, especially those in abusive households, as “long-term studies of abusive and dysfunctional families reveal that violence escalates when a wife or teenage daughter has an unintended pregnancy” (Pittman, 2009). As a result, nationwide judicial bypass laws went into effect in 1979 that allowed qualifying pregnant minors to obtain permission from a judge instead (Guttmacher Institute, 2022).

However, since the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022 and the right to an abortion in the U.S. disappeared, many of the state-specific judicial bypass procedures are at risk as well. After the ruling, some organizations that aid young girls in navigating their judicial bypass have suspended their services, as well as those that help fund out-of-state travel for abortions (KRGV, 2022). These services are even more crucial now that many trigger laws have gone into effect across the country. The new bans may force pregnant girls to travel across state lines to get the care they need, which makes access to care nearly impossible without the involvement or knowledge of their parents. This puts many of these teens at risk of physical and/or emotional abuse, forced birth, or being kicked out of their home by unsupportive parents (KRGV, 2022; Pittman, 2009). For now, resources such as Planned Parenthood, AbortionFinder.org, and AbortionFunds.org are still active to provide pregnant people, including teens, information and financial assistance to access reproductive care (Planned Parenthood, 2022).

References
Guttmacher Institute. (2022, July 1). Parental involvement in minors’ abortions, updated. https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/parental-involvement-minors-abortions
KRGV. (2022, June 27). Concerns of judicial bypass rise after Roe V. Wade overturn. https://www.krgv.com/videos/concerns-of-judicial-bypass-rise-after-roe-v-wade-overturn#:~:text=After%20the%20Supreme%20Court%20overturned%20Roe%20v.%20Wade%2C,judge%27s%20permission%20for%20an%20abortion%20without%20parental%20consent
Pittman, T. (2009, March 28). Consent for abortion can be risky with abusive parents. Anchorage Daily News. https://www.adn.com/voices/article/consent-abortion-can-be-risky-abusive-parents/2009/03/28/
Planned Parenthood. (2022). Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade: What you need to know. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion/it-still-legal-me-get-abortion

Assisting Unplanned Children and Their Parents from Family and Partner Abuse
By- Madeline Cadiz

In most cases, unplanned pregnancies are difficult to cope with, especially for those whose families or partners lack support for either the parent or child. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “more than 320,000 women are abused by their partners during pregnancy each year” (Abuse During Pregnancy, n.d.). This is a significant issue that surges through the U.S., and there are various forms of abuse a parent of an unintended pregnancy may face from a family member or their partner. Such abuse can include physical, emotional, and financial abuse from those who lack compassion for an unplanned pregnancy. In addition to the parents, children that result from unplanned pregnancies need to be protected. They may experience a variety of abuse, leading them to feel unwanted and unloved. These harmful ideas can fester within the child’s mental state over time and leave them feeling helpless and alone.

Thankfully, there are many resources parents and children can access to help themselves or others who are going through a difficult time. The National Domestic Violence Hotline may be able to help through their 24/7 chat line by asking questions about the parent and child’s safety and offering various detailed resources in the “Get Help” and “Plan for Safety” tabs on their website to guide searches. For parents who need help during their pregnancy, Nurse Family Partnership provides a massive guide in their National Resources for Families, which includes aid for housing, income, child safety, and other pregnancy needs. If any children need help from an abusive or neglectful situation, Childhelp offers a National Child Abuse Hotline which a child can text, call, and live chat with someone who will listen to their story.

Unplanned pregnancies are known to be a challenging time for all individuals involved. That’s why knowing what resources are available is beneficial to support a parent or child who is going through or being affected by any sort of family or partner abuse. It is never too late to seek help if experiencing difficulties due to an unplanned pregnancy. If you or someone you know is in this situation, know that you are never alone, and there are people who are always willing to help.

References
Abuse during pregnancy. (n.d.). March of Dimes. https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/abuse-during-pregnancy.aspx

We at ARO are here to support you in your personal healing journey to complete well-being. We bring awareness and education to 13 different types of abuse including Narcissistic, Sexual, Physical, Psychological, Financial, Child, Self, Cyberbullying, Bullying, Spousal, Elderly, Isolation, and Workplace, and help others heal and find peace. Please support our efforts by going to GoARO.org to learn how you can make an impact on the Abuse Care Community.