Victim advocates concerned about abortion measure

By Tony Messenger
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
04/22/2008

JEFFERSON CITY — An abortion bill approved by the Missouri House on Monday is drawing the ire of some advocates of rape victims, who normally try to stay out of the political fray surrounding the explosive issue.

The bill would make coercing someone to have an abortion a crime. The head of a coalition against domestic violence said that provision could be interpreted in a way that would prevent women who have been abused from having an abortion.

"There are elements of the bill that appear to pose some very grave consequences for rape victims and victims of domestic violence," said Colleen Coble, director of the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.


House Bill 1831, sponsored by Rep. Bob Onder, R-Lake Saint Louis, is Missouri Right to Life's top legislative priority. It passed 113-33 and requires Senate approval.

Onder maintains the bill protects women.

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