Teenage Rape Victim Denied Abortion in Sonora After Judge Rules Attack Was 'Consensual' James Badcock - The Telegraph | |
go to original August 1, 2016 |
The teenager immediately reported her abuser to the police after an attack she described as rape (Alamy)
A 13-year-old rape victim from northern Mexico has been denied her legal right to an abortion after a judge ruled that the sex was consensual.
The teenager immediately reported her abuser to the police after an attack she described as rape and a medical report showed physical evidence which corroborated her allegations.
But the case judge in the state of Sonora instead accused the alleged rapist of “illegal sex with a minor” as he ruled that the man had gained the girl's consent by deception.
The state health service has refused to allow the girl, named by local media as Citlali, to terminate the fetus - despite rape-related pregnancies being exempt from a ban on abortions
Women’s rights organizations are demanding that hospital authorities reverse their decision, arguing that the judge’s interpretation of the crime does not change the fact that Citlali was sexually assaulted and became pregnant as a result.
“This is important in terms of the criminal investigation, but should not affect access to legal termination,” said Regina Tamés, president of GIRE, an organization which defends the right of women to access legal abortion and contraceptive methods.
Read the rest at The Telegraph
Related: Family of 13-Year-Old Mexican Girl Pregnant in Rape Demand Right to Get an Abortion (Associated Press)
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