Abortion in the United States Virgin Islands is legal on request up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, and afterwards only in cases that endanger the life or health of the mother. There are five clinics in the territory. Women travel from the British Virgin Islands for abortions because it is illegal there.
Legal status
editAbortion is allowed in the United States Virgin Islands on request up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, and afterwards only in cases that endanger the life or health of the mother. Abortion may only be performed by a licensed physician, and after 12 weeks of pregnancy only by a surgeon or gynecologist at a hospital.[1]
Abortion clinics
editAs of 2019[update], there are five abortion clinics in the U.S. Virgin Islands. One is in St. Thomas, one in St. Croix and three are in St. John.[2]
History
editWomen from the British Virgin Islands who want an abortion were traveling to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2016 to get an abortion because abortion is illegal in the British Virgin Islands.[3] Pregnant women in the U.S. Virgin Islands were at risk of getting the Zika virus, which causes major fetal defects. These defects can be so severe that health care professionals recommend termination of the pregnancy.[4]
Contraceptives
editAs of 1994, the U.S. Virgin Islands included family planning services as part of their Medicaid program. These services included contraceptive services and supplies, and sterilizations.[5]
References
edit- ^ Abortion, 2019 US Virgin Islands Code, Title 14 § 151.
- ^ Worrell, Marc. "U.S. Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas)". Women on Waves (in Italian). Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ "In the Caribbean, crossing borders by land and sea for safe abortions". Reuters. May 26, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ Gani, Aisha (January 29, 2016). "Zika virus: the options facing pregnant women across Latin America". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ Sollom, Terry; Gold, Rachel Benson; Saul, Rebekah (April 24, 2008). "Public Funding for Contraceptive, Sterilization and Abortion Services, 1994". Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. 28. Retrieved May 23, 2019.