Pro-Choice Legislators Attempt Repeal of Criminal Abortion Ban
Rep. Berceau calls on colleagues to prevent rape victims and doctors from being imprisoned
Madison, WI – NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, the political arm of the state’s reproductive rights movement, joined Rep. Terese Berceau, other elected officials, and women’s health advocates this morning to introduce a bill to repeal Wisconsin’s criminal abortion ban.
Wisconsin’s ban, which dates from the mid-1800’s, allows women and doctors who have or provide abortions to be fined and imprisoned – even in cases of rape, incest, or where the health of the woman is at risk. Although Roe v. Wade made the statute unenforceable, the Supreme Court, with its newly appointed anti-choice Justices, could soon eviscerate key protections of Roe, leaving Wisconsin women vulnerable to prosecution.
“Elections matter – President Bush was able to stack our highest court with his anti-choice nominees. It’s no coincidence that anti-choice groups immediately pushed to ban abortion and directly challenge Roe v. Wade,” said Kelda Helen Roys, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin and an attorney. “Here in Wisconsin, we must focus on re-electing Governor Jim Doyle, and winning pro-choice seats in the Assembly and Senate, or we very well might see the right to choose eliminated.”
Rep. Berceau’s bill comes on the heels of South Dakota’s sweeping abortion ban, and 11 other states’ consideration of similar bans. Wisconsin is one of four states with such a ban still on the books.
“Anti-choice groups want to make abortion more difficult and dangerous, while NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin works to make it less necessary,” continued Roys. “The anti-choice attacks on birth control, medically accurate sex ed, and preventative care for poor women show that their true intent is to criminalize abortion while making it impossible for women to prevent unintended pregnancy.”
Contact: Kelda Helen Roys, (608) 213-4502
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