A doctor performing an abortion on a 10-year-old rape victim in Brazil was branded a “murderer” by religious extremists, according to reports.
Abortion in illegal in Brazil, excepting incidences where the woman’s life is in danger or if the pregnancy comes by way of rape or incest.
In the case of the 10-year-old in question, from São Mateus, both were applicable.
Yet, as per sources, on the day of the procedure – authorized by the relevant authorities – far-right Catholic activists gathered outside the hospital and chanted “Assassino” (Portuguese for murderer).
Pledge Times say the 10-year-old girl was taken to hospital on August 8, with tests showing she was three months pregnant. The same report says she had been repeatedly raped by her uncle since the age of six, and that he has since been indicted for the crime but not apprehended.
When news of the young girl’s pregnancy hit the internet, the resulting backlash was naturally fierce. The hashtag #GravidezAos10Mata – “pregnancy at 10 kills” – was spawned, and a petition on Change.org racked up more than 656,000 signatures.
The pressure meant that the abortion was approved, but there were still those willing to turn out in force and protest it. Far-right Brazilian politician Sara Winter was one – she argued the 10-year-old should carry the baby to term, endure a Cesarean section, and then put the baby up for adoption.
Winter also name dropped the hospital where the procedure was taking place, as well as the 10-year-old girl involved. This led to people who didn’t agree with the abortion flocking to the area.
Despite attempts from doctors to calm the crowd, they tried more than once to break into the hospital before police interfered.
Reports state the procedure was successful, and the girl is at home recovering.
It truly sickens me to know a child could be raped by her own uncle. It also sickens me to think there are people who would call it murder for that child to then have an abortion.
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