A couple weeks ago we asked a direct question:
Should women who knowingly and willingly commit abortion be held legally accountable?
We wanted to know where people in the pro-life movement actually stand—on law, justice, moral agency, and what it will take to end abortion in a post-Dobbs America.
We’ve reviewed the responses and so far the results show that many are ready to move beyond slogans and engage uncomfortable but necessary realities.
Survey findings from the first 100 responses:
1.How familiar were you with the recent withdrawal of the Texas total-abortion ban before reading our email?
- Not at all familiar – 65%
- Somewhat familiar – 26%
- Extremely familiar – 9%
2. Prior to reading this email, which statement best reflected your understanding of the current legal landscape?
- Abortion providers are restricted, but women can still access abortion pills – 49%
- Abortion remains broadly accessible by multiple means – 44%
- Abortion is effectively illegal in most pro-life states – 6%
- Unsure / need more information – 1%
3. Should state laws ever include legal consequences for women who knowingly self-administer abortion drugs?
- Yes, always – 50%
- Only in limited cases – 27%
- Unsure – 10%
- No, never – 13%
4. If you answered “Yes” in Question 3, which forms of accountability do you believe are most appropriate? (Select all that apply.)
- Required counseling / support diversion – 63.53%
- Criminal penalties (misdemeanor or greater) – 51.76%
- Civil fines – 24.71%
5. In your opinion, would including some legal deterrent for self-induced abortion reduce overall abortion numbers?
- Significantly – 40%
- Moderately – 23%
- Slightly – 15%
- Unsure – 15%
- Not at all – 7%
6. How can the pro-life movement best address the problem of chemical abortion? (Select one.)
- Hold abortion-pill manufacturers / distributors accountable – 28%
- Support laws that include legal penalties for women – 17%
- Educate women on the risks of abortion – 14%
- Promote life-affirming alternatives – 14%
- Raise public awareness – 14%
- Other – 13%
What This Means
These responses don’t reflect a fringe view. They reflect a growing willingness—among pro-lifers themselves—to acknowledge that abortion is not truly illegal when the woman committing it is entirely exempt from the law.
A full 77% of respondents believe women who knowingly commit self-induced abortion should face some form of legal consequence. Nearly half said always. Most support counseling. Half support criminal penalties. And 40% believe accountability laws could significantly reduce abortion.
Next Steps
We remain committed to confronting the legal and moral reality of abortion head-on. It ends a human life, and the law should reflect that. Our work will continue to pursue policies that speak that truth clearly and uphold the responsibility to protect unborn children.
Thank you to everyone who responded. If you didn’t have a chance to take the survey or if you want to share it—here is the button below.