Protecting the innocent

Incest is an unspeakable act of violence against an innocent child. It is hard to believe that such a crime can happen in a civilised society. Such an act robs a precious child of their dignity - something which no-one has the right to take, least of all someone that they should be able to trust.

Society has a duty to protect and help such victims. It is easier, as a society to turn our backs, but in facing such injustice we can help to ensure that no child is a victim of violence. Society needs to find constructive solutions, and enforce strong laws that protect children.

A second victim

Society's offering of an abortion to a pregnant incest victim is misplaced compassion. Does it stop the abuse? No. It allows the perpetrator to cover up his crime, and continue to abuse. It completely fails to solve the original problem, which is the sick exploitation of a child.

Abortion is also an act of violence. It punishes yet another innocent victim. It dehumanises a child in the same way. Proponents of abortion for incest victims would do better to focus on the real problem of incest - which is the despicable abuse of an innocent child - and try to create a society where all children are respected and loved; and no children are forgotten.

Abortion solves nothing

It is possible that the victim's pregnancy gives her the first real chance of overcoming the family's denial of the situation and of escaping from it. In such cases, abortion not only adds to the girl's guilt and trauma, it also frustrates her plans for escape and attention.

The unborn child conceived through incest is in a similar position to the child conceived through rape. The child is a human being who, like ourselves, was not able to determine the circumstances of his or her existence. Why should anyone's rights depend on the circumstances of their conception?

Destroying the evidence

In Dr George Maloof's study in the U.S.A., a large proportion of incest victims wanted to keep their babies. When they did abort, it was usually because of pressure from the impregnating relative (usually the victim's father or step-father), who was seeking to cover up his crime. As with rape, it can be the prejudice of those around the victim that make the pregnancy difficult, as much as the pregnancy itself.

Having the child not only helps expose the incestuous relationship, but also gives hope of beginning the healing process. Those incest victims who have an abortion do so only under pressure from their parents to conceal the incestuous relationship. Because incest is a family pathology that involves father, mother and daughter, all are involved in a conspiracy of silence and abortion helps to promote that silence.

Consider...

• Would an abortion solve the problem of the victim?
• Wouldn't an abortion increase the problem? All an abortion accomplishes is a cover up for the perpetrator
• Why should an innocent victim be punished for another's offense