Proposed New Mexico law would send rape victims to prison for having abortions

By Diana Reese, WashPost, Updated: January 24, 2013

It’s another one of those unbelievable moments in the so-called GOP “war on women.”

A rape victim could be charged with a felony and face up to three years in prison if she aborts a child conceived in that rape, according to a bill proposed by New Mexico state Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R-Carlsbad). The crime? Tampering with evidence.

New Mexico House Bill 206 states: “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.”

According to the proposed law, even the physician who performs the abortion could be charged with a crime.

Because New Mexico’s House of Representatives is controlled by Democrats, there’s not much concern about the bill actually passing to become state law. But it’s causing a furor on social media. A Facebook page, “Cathrynn Brown Must Resign NOW,” was established late Thursday afternoon.

(More here.)