**Court to Hear Lawsuit Over Abortion Restrictions**
The Constitutional Court of Georgia has agreed to hear a lawsuit filed by the Public Defender. The case concerns restrictions on women’s right to abortion in cases where they have been victims of violence.
**Problem with Current Law**
The current law says that for a woman to be allowed an abortion between 12 and 22 weeks after being raped, she must first get a court conviction confirming that she was indeed a victim of rape. The Public Defender argues that this creates problems because court proceedings can take too long. In many cases, the process is slower than the time limit for getting an abortion.
**Impact on Victims**
The lawsuit points out that victims of rape are one of the most vulnerable groups when it comes to women’s equality. Denying them an abortion can cause extra stress and stigma. The Public Defender also notes that in some cases, court proceedings have taken as long as 4 months.
**Violation of Rights**
The Public Defender believes that the current law restricts a woman’s right to free development and autonomy, protected by her right to privacy. They argue that this restriction can undermine justice and effective legal remedies for victims of sexual assault.
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