Women’s Stories

We have heard from American servicewomen stationed around the world about their difficulties obtaining abortion care:

We are defending a Constitution that doesn’t apply to us. This was a phrase I heard often after I joined the U.S. Army in 2005. At the time, I didn’t realize just how true that would be. I was raped by a fellow soldier when I was stationed in Korea. I found out I was pregnant as a result of the rape when my commander called me into his office one day to charge me with adultery. A doctor at the medical center had told my commander — but not me — that I was pregnant. I hadn’t reported the rape because I was trying to “soldier on” and I didn’t trust my chain of command. This is an environment where women are constantly targeted for various forms of abuse. As it turns out I was not charged, not because I was raped, but because I was divorced. more – Jessica Kenyon; Korea

I am a single female serving my country in Iraq. I was raped. No, I do not know my attacker. No, I did not file a report. No, I am not going to—they will call me a liar and I could lose my career. I worked so hard for this. I volunteered for this deployment, and I worked hard for my promotion. I deserve to continue my mission. And I missed my period today . . . I need my career and I want to serve. This has been my dream: to serve my country. And I never thought that I would have to worry about being raped. But it happened to me. Please, I am asking . . . can you help me? — Anonymous; Iraq

*Names changed to protect patient privacy