Pink Crime

A sobering revelation of the law's ramped-up attacks on the most vulnerable among us, and what to do about it

Pink Crime is a revealing and deeply researched examination of the strategic use of criminal law by today's right-wing movement to limit the bodily autonomy of women and queer people. The criminal justice system increasingly targets the most vulnerable populations, particularly women, pregnant individuals, and queer people. This powerful book examines the alarming rate of wrongful convictions among women, uncovering how bias, stigma, and unreliable evidence have led to prosecution where no crime occurred. It paints a disturbing picture of how the deaths of loved ones--whether a husband who passed in his sleep or a child with a health condition--have been twisted into false accusations of murder due to systemic prejudices and prosecutorial overreach. The book goes beyond wrongful convictions to explore the criminalization of identity, revealing how today's legal system disproportionately punishes actions related to pregnancy, motherhood, and queer identity. Pink Crime emphasizes how these legal mechanisms not only strip away basic rights but also lay the groundwork for even more oppressive measures in the future. This deep and comprehensive analysis provides readers with historical context, real-life case studies, and a legal framework to understand the current threat posed by the strategic use of criminal law. By examining the interplay of wrongful convictions and the criminalization of vulnerable communities, the book offers vital insights into the coercive power of the legal system. It serves as a wake-up call to advocates, lawyers, and citizens, equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary to push back against these injustices and fight for systemic reform to protect bodily autonomy and fundamental rights.

A former federal prosecutor, Valena Beety is the McKinney Professor of Law at Indiana University-Bloomington Maurer School of Law and a co-founder of the Indiana Innocence Project. The author of Manifesting Justice, she lives in Indiana.