Memphis Man Arrested for Attacking Pregnant Girlfriend After She Refuses Abortion

Too often this is what "freedom of choice" looks like in the United States. Thankfully Tennessee lawmakers have taken steps in recent years to strengthen protections for women being forced into unwanted abortions.

In 2011, legislators strengthened the Unborn Victims of Violence statute so that an unborn child at any gestational age who is assaulted or killed in a criminal act may be considered a second victim for purposes of prosecution (sponsored by Sen. Mae Beavers and former Rep. Joshua Evans.)

In 2010, legislation by Senator Jack Johnson and Rep. Susan Lynn was passed requiring the posting of the state's anti-coercion law on the walls of abortion facility waiting rooms and counseling rooms.

The signage states "Notice: It is against the law for anyone, regardless of the person's relationship to you, to coerce you to have an abortion. By law, we cannot perform an abortion on you unless we have your freely given and voluntary consent. It is against the law to perform an abortion on you against your will. You have the right to contact any local or state law enforcement agency to receive protection from any actual or threatened criminal offense to coerce an abortion."

Tennessee Right to Life urges the fullest prosecution against those threatening violence against pregnant women and their unborn children. The statewide hotline for reporting domestic violence is 1-800-356-6767.