Abortion laws that use vague words like “aiding and abetting,” “helping,” or “supporting” are meant to confuse you. The goal is to make people scared to help someone they love. No one should have to go through an abortion by themselves if they don’t want to, and everyone deserves support that is free from stigma, shame, or fear.

There are so many ways to support someone having an abortion. Some carry more legal risk than others. This article will help you understand the difference so you can make informed decisions about what feels right and safe for you.

What does helping mean? Are there safe ways for me to help?

When we say “helping,” we mean giving support to someone who is ending their pregnancy. They could be your partner, friend, sibling, child, parent, your neighbor - anyone. That might mean listening and comforting them, holding their hand, driving them to a clinic, or even giving them abortion pills. The best way to figure out how you can help is asking them what they need. Just knowing that you care about them and support their decision, without judgment, can mean a lot.

Here are some ways that everyone can safely help:

• Keep your loved one’s decisions private. Don’t tell anyone about their pregnancy or abortion without their clear consent.
• Share accurate and up-to-date information with the person you’re helping — like ineedana.com! This includes where they can learn about their abortion options, their legal rights and risks, and other resources in their community.
  
  Check out some of our blogs on travel, abortion pills, medical and legal considerations.
• Be unconditionally supportive of whatever decision they make about their pregnancy. If they are feeling unsure, share the pregnancy options workbook or the All-Options Talkline. 
• Offer physical and emotional comfort before, during, or after an abortion. This can look like giving them Advil, rubbing their back, or just being with them as they recover.

Can I get into legal trouble for helping my loved one have an abortion?

Short answer – possibly. Depending on who you help, how you help, and where you help, there can be legal risks. It’s complicated. Some people feel comfortable taking on more risk than others. But there are so many ways to be supportive, and we share some examples below to help you figure out what level of risk is right for you.

Traveling

Everyone has the constitutional right to travel for any reason, including to get an abortion. Unfortunately, we know that people's rights aren't always protected or even recognized by the government. Traveling comes with specific legal risks for people who are not U.S. citizens, who are on probation, parole, or some kind of community supervision, or who are in a relationship with intimate partner violence.

If any of these apply to you or the person you are supporting, contact the Repro Legal Helpline.

People under 18

Helping someone under the age of 18 get an abortion can be legally risky in some states, especially if you’re not their parent or legal guardian. Review our teen’s guide to accessing abortion for more details.

While minors have the constitutional right to travel like everyone else, some prosecutors have misused custody or kidnapping laws against people who help them travel for abortion care who aren’t their parents.

Some states have specific laws that create civil (fines) or criminal penalties for helping someone under 18 get an abortion without a parent or legal guardian. For example, Idaho makes it a crime for anyone who isn’t a parent or legal guardian to “harbor” or “transport” someone under 18 to get an abortion out of state. In Missouri and Indiana, you can be sued in civil court for money for helping someone under 18 travel out of state for an abortion without parental consent. Again, these laws don’t define what it means to “help” on purpose.

If you’re supporting a teen with an abortion and have questions, contact the Repro Legal Helpline.

Abortion Pills

Abortion pills are prescription medications and every state has laws around who is allowed to provide or possess abortion pills. There will always be risk to giving pills to someone else if you’re not a doctor or pharmacist. People have been charged with acting as an unlicensed doctor or pharmacist even in states where abortions are allowed.

In some states, legal risk is even higher because the state can punish anyone for giving a pregnant person with abortion pills. For example, Texas has a law that makes it a felony for any person to give someone abortion pills so that they can end their own pregnancy. In Louisiana, abortions pills are controlled substances and it’s a crime for anyone who isn’t currently pregnant to possess abortion pills.

If you can’t or don’t want to take on the legal risk of giving your loved one abortion pills, that's ok! There are many telehealth providers and community networks that can ship pills to the person needing an abortion within a week.

What is the most legally risky?

• Legal risk for everyone increases when someone self-manages their abortion later in pregnancy. Read our article about taking pills over 12 weeks.

• Buying and giving a young person abortion pills is more legally risky, even if they are your child. Review our article on What Parents Should Know About CPS and Abortion Access here.

• Anything that is explicitly against the law is legally riskier, because it’s easier to charge you with that specific crime.

How can I lower the legal risk for me and my loved one?

Stay informed with resources + share information!

• Want to know where to get an abortion?
  Ineedana.com helps you find clinics, pills by mail, and support options based on your zip code.
• Need help with costs or travel?
  Reach out to your local abortion fund for support with procedures and/or travel. You can find one through abortionfunds.org and Ineedana.com/support-organizations.
• Worried about legal risks?
  Repro Legal Helpline offers free and confidential legal services, no matter your age.
• Looking for abortion pills by mail?
  Start with Ineedana.com or Plan C Pills for vetted options.
• Need to talk to a doctor?
  M+A Hotline has medical professionals available to talk by phone or text.
• Want support while taking abortion pills?
  Connect with trained peer counselors at Reprocare or Aya Contigo.
• Need accurate sexual and reproductive health information?
  Euki is a secure and private period tracker and sexual health app that will never collect personal data or information about you.

Review our guide on how to keep your information and conversations private. And our friends at Digital Defense Fund also have great resources on digital security. 

When talking to healthcare providers, people do not need to say anything about having an abortion or taking abortion pills.
If you want to be prepared in case you have an emergency, read our guide on if you go to the ER.

Same goes for cops - everyone has the right to remain silent if questioned by the police. 
If you are questioned by police, contact the Repro Legal Helpline for free legal support.

And remember that not all cops are police officers. Some doctors, social workers, and other care providers work closely with law enforcement. To learn more about what to do in specific situations, read these articles:

• How can my immigration status affect abortion access? A guide for noncitizens and our communities
• What parents should know about CPS + abortion access
• Sex Worker’s Guide to Abortion
• A Teen’s Guide to Abortion Access

Don’t let these laws scare you out of supporting the people you care about. There are many safe and powerful ways to show up. Stay informed, know where to get help, and remember — protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your community is possible. 💜