Forced abortion in America: Human trafficking victims

Forced abortion is most commonly associated with China and its One Child Policy. Story after story reports the tragic circumstances of women who are pulled out of their houses, forced into a clinic or hospital, and forcibly aborted – even if they are full term.

But what about forced abortion in America? Recently, Planned Parenthood’s propensity to commit forced abortions has been made known through lawsuits. Ayanna Byer’s abortion was forced and botched, leaving her with a dead baby and an endangered life. A former clinic worker has told of her experience with a forced abortion on a woman she believes was a “sex slave.”

But what else happens to human trafficking victims in the United States?

My husband recently met with a man who is trying to start a school and healing program for rescued victims of sex trafficking in Denver, Colorado. This man explained that, when the trafficked girls (many of whom are captured or lured away at the ages of 10-13) get pregnant, their pimps often beat them until they miscarry. Or, they use bleach to induce abortion.

Earlier this month, Laura Lederer – a former Senior Advisor on Trafficking in Persons for the U.S. Department of State and the founder of the anti-trafficking non-profit Global Centurion – testified before a House Subcommittee on the prevalence of abortion in human trafficking, much of it forced:

Vednita Carter, a survivor of sexual exploitation and the founder of a shelter for trafficked women, also testified before the Subcommittee:

An Elliot Institute article shares more of the despicable truth:

Steven Wagner, the former director of the Human Trafficking Program at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services writes how forced abortions can be a “death sentence” to the trafficked girls and women:

An expert on human trafficking, Dottie Laster, wrote about Live Action’s videos exposing Planned Parenthood for being willing to perform abortions on trafficking victims:

Planned Parenthood Manager Offers to Help Sex Ring, Gets Fired

It couldn’t be more obvious that Planned Parenthood does not care about “caring no matter what” (despite their misleading marketing slogan). Planned Parenthood is concerned about money, even when it means forcing abortions on victimized women and girls.

In his article, Wagner relates the words of another trafficking survivor:

Even for desperate and suffering women – like the victims of human trafficking – taking an innocent life is never the answer.

NOTE: For more information on the essential role of health care professionals in identifying and rescuing sex trafficking victims, see this article. For additional information on the connections between human trafficking, abortion, and the suffering and death of women see here, here, and here.