Plight
Files on criminal proceedings against 'immoral women', ones who 'strayed from the proper path', 'girls who fell into a life of disrepute', women who committed infanticide, abortion providers, etc. can be retrieved in almost every domestic and foreign archive.
We have searched numerous Austrian as well as foreign archives in order to present past court records, many of which have never been opened, in relation to the criminal offense of illegal abortion.
These true stories go back as far as 200 years and can be studied as well as downloaded. The names of the actual individuals involved have been changed [or, left out] to assure their anonymity.
We also have recorded contemporary reports for our website users and readers.
„Guter Hoffnung“ - aber unglücklich
„Sie wollte mich nicht!“, schluchzt Lacerta. „Warum hat sie gerade …
1750: Zirkularbefehl betreffend die flüchtige Theresia Wagnerin (wegen Abtreibung)
Von der Römisch-Kayser-Königl. May[estät] N. Ö. Regierung in Justiz-Sachen wegen; …
1757: Theresia R. sentenced to death for infanticide
Missing baby after a suspected pregnancy spells doom for maidservant.
1768: Catharina H., Infanticidist
Even concealing pregnancy and childbirth is a crime.
The Vienna Foundlings and Orphans Home
In the 19th century a lack of contraceptive options ensured that there were a great many unwanted children, who were often taken in by foundlings homes.
The Gate for the ‘Secretly Pregnant’
1868: Anna D., Infanticide
Anna D. is sentenced to five years imprisonement in the Imperial Correctional Penitentiary.
1895: Minnie Dean
Minnie Dean, Minnie Dean, she's gonna ge'cha
And take you …
1899: Hermine R., former midwife, is accused of multiple abortions
Knitting needles are the corpus delicti in the prosecution of former midwife Hermine R.
1911: Marie P., and Johann K., Infanticide
Sentenced to ten years of severe exacerbated imprisonment.
1913: Anonymous Report, Lübeck Police Station, Germany
Accusing somebody of performing illegal abortions was a common way of taking revenge against a personal enemy.
1913: criminal case in Vienna against ‘Madame Mittermayer’
She was first found guilty of complicity in an abortion when she was just 23.
1913: ‘natural and healthy’ using Aloe?
A dose of 0.5-1 grams causes abdominal bleeding; 7-10 grams are fatal.
1915: Maria R., charged with abortion by means of a heavy stone
The servant girl rested a stone weighing 18 kg on her abdomen until she felt sick.
1929: Sophie R., repeatedly prosecuted midwife
The 47 year-old midwife Sophie R. is "only" sentenced to 8 months of harsh imprisonment in 1929.
1929: Magdalena J., Midwife Accused of Aborting the Fruit of a Womb
On July 14, 1929 Theresia E. dies of post-abortion sepsis at the Villach regional hospital.
1929: Midwife Emma G.
Midwife Emma G. was found guilty of “abortion of the fruit of the womb” in 20 women following an anonymous tip-off.
1929: Midwife Anna M.
Abortion using a metal catheter
Gerichtsprotokolle aus dem Arbeitermuseum von Kopenhagen
Copenhagen
A 19-year-old domestic servant was impregnated by a 40-year-old …
1933: Antonie St., Abortionist
After repeatedly performing abortions on herself by inserting a boiled chicken’s feather, Antonie St. began to help others too.
1938: Hedwig K., former midwife, pleads for a position
Hedwig K., midwife, violates law §144 (Ban on Abortion).
1938: Anonymous solicitation for aid to assist punished midwives.
"Please help us punished midwives, as we are always ready to do honest work."
1944: Heinrich P., Grete Pl.; Application for an Abortion
Marriage will be approved only after sterilization.
1945: Maria Karoline G., abortionist
is hereby condemned to death...
1945: Josefine H., abortion for indications
Josephine H. didn’t report the rape until she was already three months pregnant .
1948: Dr. H. J. and Dr. W. C., indicted for attempted abortion
Offense against the security of life and breach of public peace, law and order through the abuse of a corpse.
1951: Johanna Hi., Erich Hü., Dr. Wolfgang A., are indicted for abortion and infanticide
For want of evidence Johanna Hi. is acquitted and is released from arrest on the strength of a pledge .
1951: Friedrich K., Maria L., Josefine K., Indecent Assault, Rape, Abortion
The miner's wife Maria L., "knows a thing or two about abortion".
1962: What did our grandparents do for contraception?
When I heard about contraception in high school I asked my mother why she had had so many children when she could have used contraception.
Your Doctor Recommended an Abortion? Too Bad!
What happened to Sherri Finkbine stirred up the USA
1974: Abortion – Gerda’s personal story
In late March 1974 I made plans to travel to a women’s group in France, which used the suction method.
1999: Rome bans morning-after pill
Distribution of the ‘morning-after pill’ to rape victims in Kosovo. Only Austrian Bishop Kurt Krenn defends the Pope’s strict “no”.
Dead – but Sanctified
The late pope let women die rather than permit abortions.
2007: My grandmother was an angel-maker