University of Virginia Library

Abortion Advertising

of Virginia provides that "if any
person, by publication, lecture, advertising, or
by the sale or circulation of any publication,
or in any other manner, encourage or in any
other manner, encourage or prompt the
procuring of abortion or miscarriage, he shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor." Although the
laws on abortion in Virginia were relaxed
early this spring to allow a termination of a
pregnancy if "the continuation of the
pregnancy is likely to. . .substantially impair
the mental or physical health of the
woman. . ." the prohibition against abortion
advertising remains on the books.

This fall college newspapers around the
state, including this one, have been running
abortion advertising, with the advertiser
being, in most cases, a non-profit organization
which points out the period in which
abortions are legal in New York City and
mentions the organization's pregnancy
counseling service. This advertisement was
obtained from the National Education
Advertising Service, a national advertising
representative for college papers all over the
country. In New York State such advertising
is legal and the New York Times has carried
similar advertising, which of course reaches
Virginia.

All abortion advertising was recently
withdrawn from Virginia Commonwealth
University's student newspaper, the
Commonwealth Times, following notice from
the State Attorney General's office that it
could constitute a violation of the Virginia
Law.

The Attorney General will probably
inform other newspapers that this
advertisement is a possible violation of the
law. The University's Student Council may
also be in violation because their booklet,
"An Ounce of Prevention," includes
information on obtaining abortions in
Virginia, Washington, D.C., and New York.

Although the legality of the prohibition
against abortion is questionable and open to
challenge, we feel that it would be wise for
the legislators in Richmond to do away with
or at least modify this law before a court
challenge is made.

Some eight per cent of university women
become pregnant each year and, while this
percentage is fairly low, it still represents over
100 students on a campus of 1200 women. A
significant percentage of these girls will seek
abortions. A lack of information on the
subject might drive these women to an
unwanted marriage, a hack abortionist, or
even a self-induced abortion, which could end
in death or a deformed baby.

We feel that the social damage caused by
this law is much greater than that which is
prevented. We feel that legislation to do away
with it is in order and, if no such legislation is
forthcoming, then a court test is certainly in
order.