State-Sanctioned Rape

I started this cartoon about a week ago when I read about the mandatory ultrasound law that passed the Virginia state legislature last week and only awaits the (promised) signature of Gov. McDonnell. You can see it on the front page of The Final Edition, as well as on Mother Jones.


This law would force every woman seeking an abortion, without her consent, to undergo an ultrasound. Since the majority of abortions are performed in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, this will mean that they will be subjected to vaginal penetration with an ultrasound probe. This is equivalent to enforcing state-sponsored rape, in an effort to manipulate (and punish) women seeking abortions.