The Deputy Chair of the Assembly Health Committee Mr Jim Wells, is being attacked by the media and pro-abortionists for his views that an unborn child conceived through rape should not be killed by abortion. [see: Uproar over rape case abortion comment]

Precious Life agree with Jim Wells. The killing of an unborn child - even if conceived through rape - is wrong. Abortion cannot ‘undo’ a rape - it only kills the child. Rape is an horrific act of violence against women. It rightly evokes feelings of revulsion, but this can lead to illogical and unfounded judgments with regard to pregnancy as a result of rape. In these cases, both the woman and her child are equally innocent victims of the rapist, and we have a moral obligation to do everything that we can to help both of them, without taking an innocent life. Rape victims need long term care and compassion not a ‘quick-fix’ solution of abortion.

Rape cases are not typical situations of women seeking abortion. Pro-abortion campaigners exploit the tragedy of rape victims to open the floodgates to abortion-on-demand regardless of circumstances. Pregnancies resulting from rape are extremely rare: less than 1% of all pregnancies.

To justify thousands of abortions every year on the basis of the relatively few pregnancies resulting from rape would be ludicrous. Even the 1967 Abortion Act makes no reference to women who have been raped. Laws must not be built on 'hard cases'. The law in Northern Ireland recognises the unborn child as a person. At Stormont in February, a legal document launched by Barrister Mrs Johanna Higgins LLB. - Statement of Law against Abortion and Child Destruction in Northern Ireland -  clearly outlines how the core purpose of the law against abortion in Northern Ireland is for the protection of the unborn child.

For those women who do find themselves in the tragic situation of pregnancy through rape, abortion is not a compassionate response. Research indicates that such abortions increase the physical and emotional turmoil of the woman rather than relieve it. In fact, the only major study of pregnant rape victims, conducted by Dr. Sandra Mahkorn, revealed that 75 - 85% chose against abortion. This evidence alone should cause people to pause and reflect on the presumption that abortion is best or even wanted for rape victims.

Alliance MLA Anna Lo claimed Mr Wells is living in the 'dark ages'. It is actually Anna Lo and other pro-abortion campaigners who are living in the dark ages and need to be updated on the latest medical science, which now allows us to see a 'window to the womb'. We can see 3D images of the baby in the womb; surgery can be performed on babies while still in the womb; babies in the womb can receive blood transfusions.

In a radio interview, Anna Lo described the unborn child as a 'little pea'. This is an insult to the thousands of women who are grieving over miscarriage. They are grieving for their child they lost - not a pea. Anna Lo should resign as an MLA. If she - as an elected politician - will not uphold the rights of every person - including vulnerable babies in the womb - then she is not fit to hold political office. If Anna Lo does not respect the life of a little baby in the womb, how can she respect the life of her constituents?

To conclude, we must be careful who gets the blame when a pregnancy is the result of rape. Rape is never the fault of the child. The rapist is guilty and should be punished, not the innocent child.

Bernadette Smyth
Director - Precious Life



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