Rape, domestic violence, incest, child pregnancies or even the need to feel close to someone are circumstances which may lead to women having sex. All of these circumstances may result in unwanted pregnancies but not all of them are considered legitimate or lawful reasons to obtain abortions. Perhaps it is not the means or method by which a woman finds herself pregnant which is important but whether now that she is faced with an unwanted pregnancy whether she feels she is in a position to continue with it. The effects of unwanted pregnancies may manifest themselves as unwanted children which in turn may lead to child abuse or even infanticide. The statistics of child abuse in this country are staggering.
Abortion is but one means of preventing unwanted births.
It is not the preferred means, and not one that all women would choose for themselves. However, it is a means that has been and will continue to be used by millions of women. The most obvious fact which supports this, regardless of what the law says, is the millions of women that have recourse to it, even when they had to obtain it illegally and at some personal risk to their lives and health. In addition, millions of their spouses and partners participated in these decisions. Further, support for the legalising of abortion was raised and discussed by delegates attending the 1995 International Conference on Women's Issues in Beijing.