This entry presents a historical newspaper article from 'Der Abend', dated July 5, 1929, detailing a court case concerning an abortion performed by a midwife. It highlights the legal proceedings against a young couple and the social context surrounding unwanted pregnancies and illegal abortions in 1920s Vienna.
The content centers on a specific article published in the Austrian newspaper 'Der Abend' on July 5, 1929. Titled 'Der Fluchparagraph 144' (The Curse Paragraph 144), it recounts the story of an 18-year-old maid, Rosa K., and her partner, Josef St., who sought an illegal abortion from a midwife in Vienna. The article details the legal charges filed against the couple under paragraph 144 of the Austrian criminal code and the subsequent trial, where the young woman explained her difficult circumstances. The newspaper itself, 'Der Abend', was an Austrian daily newspaper founded in 1915, known for its critical and sometimes polemical tone, often engaging in investigative journalism, and it ceased publication in 1934.
This historical document serves as a case study illustrating the societal pressures, legal ramifications, and clandestine practices surrounding abortion in Vienna during the interwar period. The narrative focuses on the individual plight within the broader legal framework of the time, providing a glimpse into the lived experiences and judicial responses to reproductive choices in early 20th-century Austria. The entry draws its source information from the newspaper's archives, with further context provided by Wikipedia regarding the publication's history and editorial stance.
