Repeal parental notice of abortion act
When a young person finds herself pregnant, the vast majority will seek help from a parent or legal guardian. But for some, reaching out to a parent can be incredibly dangerous.
Human Rights Watch and the ACLU of Illinois recently released a report - "The Only People It Really Affects are the People It Hurts" - outlining the human rights violations and health consequences of the Parental Notice of Abortion law on Illinois' young people.
This report outlines disturbing situations of young people being forced to continue pregnancies against their will or being threatened with being kicked out of their homes. Many are subjected to emotional and/or physical abuse and coercion by their parents or guardians.
Furthermore, the judicial bypass alternative of going before a judge has shown to be traumatic and can delay timely access to health care.
This report illustrates how forcing parental notification in already unstable and dangerous situations exacerbates the risk to young people. It must be addressed as the health and safety problem that it is.
During this legislative session, Illinois has a chance to repeal the Parental Notice of Abortion Act. Please contact your state senator and representative and urge them to support SB 2190 and HB 1797.
The full report can be accessed here: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/media_2021/03/us0321_web.pdf
Laura Welch
President
Illinois National
Organization for Women
Naperville