Around the world, heated debates about abortion are taking place. But in the Pacific, the topic is so taboo only a handful of people are willing to talk about it.

One of them is Florence* a young mother who alleges she was raped twice by a medical doctor in Vanuatu while he secretly performed an abortion on her. She’s bravely speaking up to challenge the cultural and religious values that drove her to risk her life. Advocates want abortion laws to be reviewed.

WARNING: This story contains graphic details ABC Asia Pacific Newsroom.

This reporting was supported by the Sean Dorney Grant for Pacific Journalism through the Walkley Foundation.

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