I can’t express how repulsive and disappointing it is to write about current accusations of forced sterilization in the 21st century. Surprisingly, and not at the same time, we are still living in a time where many people believe it is okay to allow forced labor, sex trafficking, forced sterilization, and many more. Historically, it has been recorded that forced sterilization disproportionately impacted people of color. Not too far long ago, in 2013 female inmates in California prisons were sterilized without their approval (Johnson 2013). It was used in order to control the “undesirable” population which in today’s case happens to be those who are in ICE custody (Ko, L, 2016).
More recently in the Georgia Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, whistleblower Dawn Wooten who worked at this location as a nurse, detailed a high rate of hysterectomies and medical neglect (Alvarez, 2020). In her complaint to the Government Accountability Project and Project South, Wooten expressed that just about everyone who came to see this particular gynecologist left after getting a hysterectomy (Alvarez, 2020). She even stated that he’s removed the wrong ovary of a patient who went to see him to have the ovary with a cyst removed and now, this young woman can’t have any children. You be the judge of whether this was accidental or purposeful.
The parallels in the recent accusations and the past are glaring. So, do we turn a blinds eye and act like we never heard about this or, do we find a way to prevent women from being robbed of their unborn children? That is also for you to decide. As an aspiring medical provider, hearing about health professionals abusing their powers is very disheartening and shameful. The LA County has apologized after its numerous forced hysterectomies that happed in the LA county hospital but, what is an apology going to do to a woman who later found out she can’t have any children, to the minority groups who are continually attacked from every angle, and to the little girl who can’t help but wonder if that will happen to her? Nothing.
Corey G. Johnson / July, et al. “Female Inmates Sterilized in California Prisons without Approval.” Reveal, 7 July 2013, www.revealnews.org/article/female-inmates-sterilized-in-california-prisons-without-approval/.
Alvarez, Priscilla. “Whistleblower Alleges High Rate of Hysterectomies and Medical Neglect at ICE Facility.” CNN, Cable News Network, 16 Sept. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/09/15/politics/immigration-customs-enforcement-medical-care-detainees/index.html.
KO, LISA. “Unwanted Sterilization and Eugenics Programs in the United States.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, www.pbs.org/independentlens/blog/unwanted-sterilization-and-eugenics-programs-in-the-united-states/.
I absolutely agree that it is abhorrent this is still practiced, whether culturally, societally, and even in our own prison institutions. What do you think is the best way to attack the problem? Prosecute the offenders, push legislation, advocate for increased transparency in the prison or detention centers? Increase education in the communities, establishing prisoner advocates (much like patient advocates in hospitals), increase protection for whistleblowers in these situations? What should we "ought to do" in your opinion?
ReplyDeleteFirst, I have to say that among all of the blogs your title really caught my eye. I think that this practice is absolutely barbaric as it takes away these prisoner's autonomy and rights. Do you think that it is important to consider even if these women don't want children that it is still their choice to have the sterilization done or not? I only ask because that seemed to be a big point in your blog post.
ReplyDeleteI am also curious as to if any of these women had religious standing that the procedure went against. It is so disheartening that people are having their rights ignored and having irreversible outcomes for their future not decided by them. I also am curious along with KristenM618 as to what you believe should happen now that this has happened, and what do you think should be put into place to not have this happen again?
Should this fall more into the jurisdiction of medical malpractice, Criminal Justice, or Social Justice to get the most deserving outcome from this terrible event?
Yes, I completely agree! These procedures violate a person's right on many levels. A person should have the choice to do whatever they want with their body so, forcefully taking this choice away from them makes it seem as though they are not worthy of the option.
DeleteKristen and Alexandria: It is difficult to say this and that will fix the issue of forced sterilization but, there are a few things that can be done that will help us move in the right direction. As far as the victims are concerned, they need reparation for the violation of their autonomy and the trauma they were forced into. The reparation must have some substance to it and not just something that will put a bandaid over a bullet wound. They also need justice so, the physicians who performed the forced sterilizations need to be charged legally. Not only did they violate the Hippocratic Oath they took when they became a physician, they violated a person's right and caused unnecessary and permanent harm. I also think the states needs to do a better job of condemning such actions and providing legal support for whistleblowers. On personal level, in out respective occupations it is important to speak up when we see our colleagues doing something that is questionable. I understand this can be challenging but, if we all stay silent who will speak up for the victims? If the victims speak up, who will listen to them and believe them?
ReplyDeleteI remember Dr. Campisi touching breifly about this during one of our lectures when talking about the blog, and I am so glad that you have decided to write about it. It is truly awful to see that this still happens in a time and age where you would think we were above it. If we are "hanging our hat" so to speak on a ethical principle I would say that this definitely violates autonomy and is infringing upon the justice of these people and it breaks my heart. As a future healthcare worker, what steps or practices will you put forth and aim for in order to mitigate the effects of this henious act?
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