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.
1757: Theresia R. sentenced to death for infanticide
Missing baby after a suspected pregnancy spells doom for maidservant.
⇾ more
Missing baby after a suspected pregnancy spells doom for maidservant.
⇾ more
1868: Anna D., Infanticide
Anna D. is sentenced to five years imprisonement in the Imperial Correctional Penitentiary.
⇾ more
Anna D. is sentenced to five years imprisonement in the Imperial Correctional Penitentiary.
⇾ more
1899: Hermine R., former midwife, is accused of multiple abortions
Knitting needles are the corpus delicti in the prosecution of former midwife Hermine R.
⇾ more
Knitting needles are the corpus delicti in the prosecution of former midwife Hermine R.
⇾ more
1911: Marie P., and Johann K., Infanticide
Sentenced to ten years of severe exacerbated imprisonment.
⇾ more
Sentenced to ten years of severe exacerbated imprisonment.
⇾ more
1913: Anonymous Report, Lübeck Police Station, Germany
Accusing somebody of performing illegal abortions was a common way of taking revenge against a personal enemy.
⇾ more
Accusing somebody of performing illegal abortions was a common way of taking revenge against a personal enemy.
⇾ more
1913: criminal case in Vienna against ‘Madame Mittermayer’
She was first found guilty of complicity in an abortion when she was just 23.
⇾ more
She was first found guilty of complicity in an abortion when she was just 23.
⇾ more
1913: ‘natural and healthy’ using Aloe?
A dose of 0.5-1 grams causes abdominal bleeding; 7-10 grams are fatal.
⇾ more
A dose of 0.5-1 grams causes abdominal bleeding; 7-10 grams are fatal.
⇾ more
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.
⇾ more
The servant girl rested a stone weighing 18 kg on her abdomen until she felt sick.
⇾ more
1929: Sophie R., repeatedly prosecuted midwife
The 47 year-old midwife Sophie R. is "only" sentenced to 8 months of harsh imprisonment in 1929.
⇾ more
The 47 year-old midwife Sophie R. is "only" sentenced to 8 months of harsh imprisonment in 1929.
⇾ more
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.
⇾ more
On July 14, 1929 Theresia E. dies of post-abortion sepsis at the Villach regional hospital.
⇾ more
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.
⇾ more
Midwife Emma G. was found guilty of “abortion of the fruit of the womb” in 20 women following an anonymous tip-off.
⇾ more
1933: Antonie St., Abortionist
After repeatedly performing abortions on herself by inserting a boiled chicken’s feather, Antonie St. began to help others too.
⇾ more
After repeatedly performing abortions on herself by inserting a boiled chicken’s feather, Antonie St. began to help others too.
⇾ more
1935: Dr. S., Doctor, charged with repeated violation and abortion
More than eighty people, defendants and witnesses, appeared in court between 1935 and 1937.
⇾ more
More than eighty people, defendants and witnesses, appeared in court between 1935 and 1937.
⇾ more
1938: Hedwig K., former midwife, pleads for a position
Hedwig K., midwife, violates law §144 (Ban on Abortion).
⇾ more
Hedwig K., midwife, violates law §144 (Ban on Abortion).
⇾ more
1938: Anonymous solicitation for aid to assist punished midwives.
"Please help us punished midwives, as we are always ready to do honest work."
⇾ more
"Please help us punished midwives, as we are always ready to do honest work."
⇾ more
1944: Heinrich P., Grete Pl.; Application for an Abortion
Marriage will be approved only after sterilization.
⇾ more
Marriage will be approved only after sterilization.
⇾ more
1945: Josefine H., abortion for indications
Josephine H. didn’t report the rape until she was already three months pregnant .
⇾ more
Josephine H. didn’t report the rape until she was already three months pregnant .
⇾ more
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.
⇾ more
Offense against the security of life and breach of public peace, law and order through the abuse of a corpse.
⇾ more
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 .
⇾ more
For want of evidence Johanna Hi. is acquitted and is released from arrest on the strength of a pledge .
⇾ more
1951: Friedrich K., Maria L., Josefine K., Indecent Assault, Rape, Abortion
The miner's wife Maria L., "knows a thing or two about abortion".
⇾ more
The miner's wife Maria L., "knows a thing or two about abortion".
⇾ more
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.
⇾ more
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.
⇾ more
Your Doctor Recommended an Abortion? Too Bad!
What happened to Sherri Finkbine stirred up the USA
⇾ more
What happened to Sherri Finkbine stirred up the USA
⇾ more
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.
⇾ more
In late March 1974 I made plans to travel to a women’s group in France, which used the suction method.
⇾ more
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”.
⇾ more
Distribution of the ‘morning-after pill’ to rape victims in Kosovo. Only Austrian Bishop Kurt Krenn defends the Pope’s strict “no”.
⇾ more
2007: My grandmother was an angel-maker
I was about 11 years old when I found out that my grandmother performed abortions
⇾ more
I was about 11 years old when I found out that my grandmother performed abortions
⇾ more