“So why would anyone think that ending one’s own pregnancy is a crime?” asked Pierre. “Because abortion stigma creates an aura of criminality, convincing people that there’s something inherently dangerous about abortion so that it’s justifiable to regulate it, demonize people who provide care, and shame those who seek abortions. All of that contributes to people thinking that abortion should be or is something illegal and that doing one for yourself must be some kind of a crime.
Pierre says prosecutors target marginalized people in discriminatory ways. “Like all forms of criminalization in the United States, it affects some people more than others because of their identities, their circumstances, and where they live. Folks who already are living in a world where they’re suspected, stigmatized, and surveilled are more likely to be criminalized. There’s so much individual discretion built into every stage of the process.
RLDF also hopes to educate health care providers about the law. Dr. Jamila Perritt, president & CEO of, says clinicians often misunderstand their legal obligations with regard to self-managed abortion.
childfreediva Pregnancy is more dangerous than abortion.