Expert: Pat G - 9/21/2009

Question
Hi my name is Brittany im 17 yrs old and i recently pregnant wit a baby boy at 22 weeks my dad forced me to have a abortion i so badly wanted to keep my child but my dad and the abortion clinic told me that since i was underage i had no say so in the matter is that true? if not what can i do about it?

Answer
Hi, brittany,

I am so sorry that your father did this. YES, you have a say. What he did is child abuse. The abortionist can be sued for assault. The current governmental provisions against fathers would probably disrupt your life, so consider carefully before acting on what your father did. The government may take you out of your home. You can choose to go to a women's shelter, and when you get counseling (call them right away, when you get to the women's shelter), they can help you find a more permanent place where you will be safe. Also, just to be on the safe side, you should write to me privately about this.

I recommend you get some counseling. You can find an organization near you by going here:

http://www.pregnancycenters.org/

They can help you heal emotionally and spiritually. They will also know about other resources available to you where you can take action.

Take your most prized small possessions with you when you leave your home. Once you are in a safe place, report this to the police. You can sign a complaint that may enable them to arrest the abortionist or take other action. An abortionist should NEVER perform an abortion on a woman who says she doesn't want one, I don't care if she is a minor or not! But it happens frequently.

When I can, I will give you other links. I am looking for a particular link, and I didn't find it readily, and will have to spend some time looking for it. There are attorneys who will take legal action on your behalf.

Also, I am willing to talk to you any time. Please take care of yourself. You deserve better, and you are precious. My heart goes out to you, and you will be in my prayers.