For Immediate Release
 

Experts on Violence Warns That Abortion
Exploits and Enslaves Women

Springfield, IL (Jan. 22, 2010) -- An expert on violence against women has warned that the "right to abortion" enslaves women and leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

Iñigo Urien Azpitarte of the organization Professionals for Ethics said that abortion puts women in a position of inequality and makes it easier for those who don't want to take responsibility to leave her without support if she becomes pregnant.

"Thus, if a man thinks that abortion is an easily accessible option for a woman, he will easily feel disconnected from her and leave her with an unwanted pregnancy—since she can easily obtain an abortion,” he said.

"“While it is true that some women can resist pressure and refuse to abort, the legalization of abortion creates a vicious circle from which many others cannot escape,” he added.

Azpitarte's comments were borne out in an article published in August on a popular men's web site that advised men on how to pressure or coerce their partner into abortion.

In the article, which was withdrawn after multiple complaints, author Isabella Snow suggested that the man threaten to withdraw his support if the woman has the baby anyway. She wrote that men aren't obligated to support their child "beyond what your conscience and the law expects of you."

"This was her decision, not yours, and the bulk of the responsibility is now hers," Snow wrote. "Take a moment to spell this out for her when she gives you her final decision; it just may sway her over to your side."

Coercion Happening Everywhere

One survey found that 64 percent of American women who had undergone abortions said they felt pressured by others to abort. Further, there is no evidence that abortion businesses are attempting to give women viable options or make sure that the woman or girl really wants to abort. The same survey found that:>

• 67 percent of American respondents said they received no counseling beforehand,

• 84 percent said they did not receive adequate counseling, and

• 79 percent said they were not counseled on alternatives to abortion.

Men, too, can often be the victim of coercive tactics on the part of abortion counselors or may be told that they have no say in the abortion decision. Several posters on the askmen.com site pointed out that men have no legal right to stop an abortion from happening if they do want to have their child.

Although the article has now been withdrawn, it points to a need for better efforts to stop unwanted, coerced and dangerous abortions. The Elliot Institute has proposed legislation that would hold abortion businesses liable for failing to screen for coercion or for other factors that put the woman or girl at risk for psychological problems after abortion.

~~~

Learn more: To learn more about the Elliot Institute's model legislation, visit www.stopforcedabortions.com/initiative.htm.

Citations

1. Catherine Coyle, Priscilla Coleman and Vincent Rue, "Inadequate Preabortion Counseling and Decision Conflict as Predictors of Subsequent Relationship Difficulties and Psychological Stress in Men and Men," Traumatology XX(X): 1-15 (2010).