A state licensing board in the US has suspended a doctor from practicing medicine amid an investigation into allegations that he forced his girlfriend to take abortion pills to end the life of their unborn baby.

The Ohio State Medical Board last week issued an emergency suspension of Dr. Hassan- James Abbas’ medical license after finding “clear and convincing evidence” that his actions posed “an immediate danger” to the public.

Life News reports that the board’s notice detailed Abbas’ alleged procurement of the drugs and his subsequent forcible administration of them to his girlfriend, who had refused to have an abortion.

The woman, who is seeking a protective order against Abbas, also claims that the University of Toledo – his employer at the time – failed to take the abortion-related assault on her seriously.

She told the AP news agency: “I think it’s important for people to know that UTMC says they hold their employees to the highest standards; however, they have had this information since the beginning of this year and they chose to still employ him and not place him on leave until now.

Around the world – and in Ireland – a disturbing pattern of coercive abortion is becoming increasingly evident. We need to keep drawing attention to what’s happening to spark open discussion on the issue and to ensure that urgent measures are taken to confront it.