From the SFLA Blog

Safe Haven Laws 101: Answering Your Top Questions

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Caroline Wharton - 11 Aug 2022

If it helps women and children, the abortion lobby is usually against it, and that includes Safe Haven Laws, which have recently been under attack by abortion supporters. While these laws were created for the express purpose of aiding families in distress, somehow the abortion lobby has begun to call Safe Havens “disingenuous.” Clearly, the abortion lobby is seriously ignorant about what Safe Havens are and who they help — so here’s a refresher on how Safe Havens work:  

As previously reported by Students for Life of America (SFLA):  

What are Safe Haven Laws? 

Safe Haven Laws allow parents to surrender their newborn baby at an approved location. There are currently infant surrender laws in all 50 states. Children can be surrendered at designated locations which vary from state to state and usually include places like fire stations and hospitals. In some places, Safe Haven Boxes are installed at these locations.

Safe Haven Laws

These locations provide a space for parents to place a child which they feel they cannot keep without any questions asked, allowing parents to terminate their parental rights knowing that their child will be placed with an adoptive family who can care for him or her. The parent can bring the baby there for any reason while remaining anonymous. Although Safe Haven Laws do vary with individual states, one thing is always guaranteed: parents will not be punished for placing their babies in a Safe Haven.  Click HERE to find Safe Havens near you.  

How Easy Are Safe Havens to Use? 

To see how Safe Havens work (and how simple they are for parents to utilize), watch the quick video below by Monica Kelsey that illustrates the process:  

Why are Safe Haven Laws Helpful? 

Safe Haven Laws provide a protective refuge for newborn babies that otherwise might be abandoned in an unsafe manner. Creating awareness and accessibility to Safe Havens is important as these locations provide a protected and regulated process for parents that feel it is best to surrender their rights.

Without such a consequence-free option, parents have resorted to life-threatening alternatives to avoid parenting a child. Since 1999, more than 4,127 babies have been saved at Safe Haven locations throughout the United States. It is crucial that new parents who feel unequipped to raise their child be made aware of the Safe Have option. 

Safe Haven Laws
Why are Safe Haven Laws Pro-Life? 

Safe Haven Laws are pro-life because they can help women who do not feel ready to parent after birth and protect their children from potential harm before or after birth by ensuring moms know help is available. For those who get pregnant and worry they can’t parent their child, these laws are in place to reassure and offer assistance. With Safe Haven Laws in effect, the life-affirming options of parenting or adoption are available during pregnancy and after birth, as well.  

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