If a rape victim gets pregnant, can she opt for abortion or should she raise the child?

Rape is a horrible crime and what makes it horrible is the fact that one’s body is getting violated by another human being without consent. It is a situation which no girl or woman should face in their lifetime. Having said this, suppose a rape victim gets pregnant, would it be moral to abort the child? Absolutely not. Why? Because the circumstances of the child’s conception doesn’t change the fact that he/she is a living human being with a right to life which cannot be taken away. Let’s look further into the matter by asking more questions.

What happens during an abortion? A living human being is killed by the actions of the one performing the abortion. Here too, just like rape, the body of the child is getting violated by another human being. 

Should we punish the child for the actions of the father? No would be the answer. It would be immoral to impart capital punishment to the unborn child for the sins committed by his/her father who himself may not get the same for the crime he has committed.

Does the abortion “unrape” the woman? No, it doesn’t. The grief and memories related to the rape will not go away with abortion but it rather increases the the violence being committed.

A woman who was raped need to be loved and supported and if she becomes pregnant there will be two victims of the violent act. 

Now with regards to raising the child, as far as it is possible, the child should not be denied his/her right to be born and raised with dignity preferably by the biological parents. But it is easier said than done. In any case, we should ensure that the child is in safe hands where he/she is loved and cared for without judgment and prejudice.