Arguments over rape and incest divide abortion opponents

Even as the antiabortion movement celebrates sweeping bans recently passed in several states, it is divided by a widening rift over whether those prohibitions should apply to victims of rape and incest.

The debate pits those who believe any abortion is immoral against those who worry that a no-exception stance could be harmful to some Republican candidates in upcoming elections. A Gallup poll last year found that 77% of Americans support exceptions in cases of rape and incest.

“There is a media spotlight shining on this issue,” said Clarke Forsythe, senior counsel with Americans United for Life. “State leaders need to be prudent and reflect not only on state elections but also national elections, and the pace of change the public might accept.”

There’s potential for even more division. The Federalist, an online magazine influential in conservative and antiabortion circles, ran an article last week by two abortion opponents suggesting that women who induce their own abortions should be prosecuted for murder. The position is at odds with the pro-women rhetoric of leading antiabortion groups.

“We’re 100% percent against prosecuting women.” said Kristi Hamrick, spokeswoman for Students for Life of America.

Divisions over rape-and-incest exceptions have existed within the antiabortion movement for years, but have become more apparent as several states in the South and Midwest enacted tough bans on abortion.

Only the ban in Georgia includes an exception for victims of rape or incest — and then only if the woman files a police report first. Measures enacted in Alabama, Ohio, Kentucky, Mississippi and Missouri do not contain those exceptions, nor does a measure nearing final approval in Louisiana.

Alabama’s ban is the toughest: Performing an abortion at...