Abortion Bill Would Send Rape Victims to Jail for Destroying 'Evidence'

NM law against terminations after rape sparks outrage and a retraction

A New Mexico lawmaker has provoked a very loud outcry all over Thursday morning's media by introducing a bill that would criminalize rape victims who seek abortions.

Republican Rep. Cathrynn Brown introduced House Bill 206, which states that a rape victim terminating her pregnancy would be charged with a third-degree felony. In NM, such felonies carry a jail term of up to three years, HuffPo reports.

The text of the bill reads as follows: "Tampering with evidence shall include procuring or facilitating an abortion, or compelling or coercing another to obtain an abortion, of a fetus that is the result of criminal sexual penetration or incest with the intent to destroy evidence of the crime."

Rep. Brown has since said that her intention was misunderstood. She explains, "House Bill 206 was never intended to punish or criminalize rape victims. Its intent is solely to deter rape and cases of incest. The rapist - not the victim - would be charged with tampering of evidence. I am submitting a substitute draft to make the intent of the legislation abundantly clear."

The bill as originally worded, however, would have punished the victim. So Brown is now planning to reword her bill, hopefully so as to make clear that victims would not be penalized.

Via the Huffington Post and the New Mexico Telegram.

Could the bill "deter rape and incest," as this lawmaker suggests?

[Thunderchicken]

"Its intent is solely to deter rape and cases of incest. "

They don't have laws against these already???

[Hireman]

Exactly, and also, how would this new law effect this? If the victim terminated the pregnancy, the alleged perpetrator is then penalized more? Sounds like the problem with our lawmakers: Instead of simplifying and enforcing law, they want to pass "new legislation" all the time to pretend like they're valuable.

[Dan_Tien]

No, its intent is not solely to deter rape or incest, its intent is to gain a foothold against legal abortions. A pregnancy is not needed as evidence of rape, and without supporting evidence it is no proof of rape at all.

[hwyangel]

I have been saying for a while now that a woman pregnant from rape is a woman who didn't care enough about the lives of other women to report the crime.

[woodtick57]

How do you figure that?

[jessejaymes]

I RARELY agree with woodtick. This time I do. Perhaps you meant to say that woman who doesn't report a rape doesn't care enough about other women being raped? Pregnancy has nothing to do with rape other than an inconsequential result. Rape is a crime of violence, not of sex.

[American98]

Clearly you have never been raped have you? Because if you have you'd know what a crazy statement that is.

[mtkopf]

So a woman gets pregnant by rape ONLY IF she does not report it? I don't think you realize just how crazy that sounds.

[hwyangel]

@jessejaymes

I was raped at gun point in the summer of 1997. When I did report the crime the first thing the police did was take me to a hospital. At the hospital the first question from the doctor was "can you get pregnant?"
You see conception does not happen immediately (they should have taught that in sex education). The doctor was also able to collect evidence to convict the criminal and test me for STD's. To have gotten pregnant I would have to have refused to report the crime and refuse to seek emergency medical attention. And by doing so I would have put other women's lives in danger. The man that raped me was convicted of murdering three women before me.

[Vance1]

laws never solve problems

[AceLuby]

Disagree... the patriot act solved the problem of that pesky constitution :P

[martydotcom]

By your thinking there is no point in having any laws because the criminals never follow the Anarchy FYI is defined as:
a society without a publicly enforced government or any enforced political authority or Chaos

[stepped_in_it]

I understand this statement! Laws, though good and required for a civilized society, have not stopped the breaking of said laws by the criminal element! So, the problem (criminals) are not solved by laws. HMM...my head hurts!

[stepped_in_it]

Ok, here we go again! You have to be pooping me! Are Repubs (or Dems, your choice) this f-ing stupid! And politicians, what is it about making rape VICTIMS the criminals! Is it possible we can take this "politician" out back and ????.
Re-Elect NO ONE 2014 (2016 also)

[jessejaymes]

They really are. You and I and 50 people from this thread could take over our govt tomorrow and do as bad a job as these clowns who think they know everything.

[stepped_in_it]

@jessejaymes But, could we live with ourselves if we became this stupid. Can I make a "Stupid Will" out before we take over? That way, if I become this stupid, you can "pull my plug"....and end me! LOL

[jessejaymes]

@stepped_in_it I don't see how we could do any worse. First thing I'd do is use some power, any power to instill term limits (I'd demand a constitutional amendment) and line item veto. Drink lots of coffee because we're going to be up late cutting pork.

[stepped_in_it]

@jessejaymes HMM....I've always (well, last 20 years) believed in the line item veto! Always thought that if we are going to hold the president responsible, we should give him/her the power to veto pork and still sign a bill. Way too much pork is pushed though just to get a legitimate piece of legislation (Hurricane Sandy bill a recent example). And just whom do I blame....Congress and Senate! Interesting! The term limits are a given to me!

[Denizen_Kate]

@jessejaymes IMO we would probably do a better job.(Can I assume you're counting me among those 50?:)

[Knightkore]

Interesting....lets see the re-worded bill....

[woodtick57]

Didn't she get the GOP memo to never talk about rape ever again?!?!? how can these people be so idiotic?

[SavageMazx]

They are politicians, it's like instinct, they cant help it.

[stepped_in_it]

HMM.......foot n mouth disease is running rampant in our Federal and State capitols! The CDC think they have "corralled" and controlled the disease!

[jessejaymes]

Once again a state legislature seeks to spend money on a law that they know damn well won't get past even their own state courts. This is absurd.

[BelinKS]

If a woman is raped, she should go straight to the ER. A rape kit would give all the DNA needed, plus they usually give you the morning after pill to prevent a pregnancy. If they don't, go get one yourself. They're OTC.

[woodtick57]

Actually, the police would be better than the ER, but many women who are raped just want to go home and the last thing they want is more strangers poking and prodding them...it is a horrific crime that stirkes to the very core of the victim with fear and a sense of personal violation. sometimes, the only thing the victim is capable of is getting back to a place of safety and security, which for most is home...

[BelinKS]

@woodtick57
I don't need to be told, I've been there! But if the woman wants the rapist caught and prosecuted, and not to get pregnant she goes to the ER even though all she wants to do is go home. The ER calls the police. Who do you think they give the rape kit to. The police take your statement there in the ER.

[woodtick57]

@BelinKS

My wife was raped before i met her. she never went to the ER, the rape investigation (collection of semen and other evidence) was done at the police station.

[BelinKS]

@woodtick57
I know I wouldn't want the rape kit done at a police station. The ER is safer. What if there is a medical problem? Like a tear that needs stitches. Plus I would want a medical professional to be the one to do the rape kit and also be checked for injuries. The hospital also has the morning after pill and a cocktail of medications to prevent HIV.

[jessejaymes]

Now I know why Nancy Pelosi said we have to pass the bill to read to see what's in it/ That's what they do on every bill in America today. Right and left. Some stupid tells their aide to write a bill while they hit the fundraising circuit, and tomorrow Voila, we have a bill. They pass it and someone reads it. In this case someone other than the congresswoman bothered to read it before they voted. Otherwise we'd be talking about an actual "law" now. It's time people. You vote GOP find, do it. You vote Dem fine, do it. But this has to stop. Take control in your own primaries.

RE-ELECT NOBODY 2014

[DerivePI]

Funny, this made me think of that Pelosi statement too. The unintended consequences of legislation becomes law and the intention never sees the light of day.

[DARSB]

Instead of pushing poorly written language, maybe this legislator should join forces with Rep Conrad James of New Mexico in his effort to revoke the parental rights rapists in New Mexico currently have regarding offspring from the rape.

[woodtick57]

Seriously?!? that is so freakin' messed up...

[DARSB]

@woodtick57 Seriously. I can't get to the reference right now (company firewall) but there are about 30 states where rapists have visitation and custody rights for children born as a result of the rape.

[woodtick57]

@DARSB They should definitely be forced to pay for said children...and therein lies the catch, i guess...still a reasonable law would make them financially responsible but not able to contact said offspring...

[Keyjo]

I have only to ask, "How stupid can you be!?"
Rape and (I presume) incest are already illegal. How is this going to deter anyone? If anything, it will provide a little more incentive to further harm the victim.

[jessejaymes]

That is exactly correct. The possibility of being charged for the abortion will just get the criminal to kill their victim. What a stupid law. Any way you look at it. Nice catch.

[PoliticalSpice]

This makes nosense. Women cann't get pregnant from legitimate rape. The body shuts done, doesn't she know that?

[PNWest]

Anyone surprised that the sponsor of the bill was a republican?

[Canoochee]

The sponsor of the bill was a politician and an idiot. But I repeat myself. This bill will be just as effective as prevention as Finestein's Assault Weapons ban.

[falco_alba]

There should be a category called, It Won't Make a Difference.

Do they really think that rapists call up their victims and ask if they got pregnant? Abortions are not forcibly given by rapists, they are a choice of the forcibly impregnated woman. This bill should be reversed and require all convicted rapists to be castrated. THAT would deter them.

[jessejaymes]

Not mention castrated after severe torture. Waterboard them 100 days in a row 10 times a day until they take a rusty knife and castrate themselves.

[MadAmerican]

When will the friggin politicians understand that criminals care less about laws? Quit punishing victims!!!!

[twinertia]

There isn't a hole deep enough that the fetus cults won't lower themselves into.

[Jet_Silverman]

Rapists should have their "things" hacked off. Pure and simple.

[whataGOVwehave]

These guys are brilliant!!! Weed has no medical value AND abortions are destroying evidence. I can't wait to see what's next!!!

[Brownie]

As a woman. I don't understand what men have to do with our choices on pregnancy. I bet, if men were the ones getting pregnant by rape. This wouldn't even be an issue.

[AlexMIA]

Not true, as a man I respect choice. I will say it is unbalanced though.

[PoliticalSpice]

Don't you know republican science? Women can not become pregnant from a legitimate rape.

[Brownie]

@PoliticalSpice smh.... They should be ashamed of themselves. I don't understand, how their wives put up with their crap. Oh... I forgot, money.

[AlexMIA]

@PoliticalSpice I missed that science article, I was busy reading about neanderthal pregnancy.

[PoliticalSpice]

@AlexMIA Not much difference between republican pregnancy and neanderthal pregnancy.

[SomethinsFishy]

Idiots. Victimizing rape victims twice. People do a lot of things they are not supposed to do when in shock and traumatized. Who comes up with these ideas!