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NEWS & LETTERS, OCTOBER 2003Phony clinics aboundMemphis, Tenn.--Everyday pro-life activists use corrupt methods to stop abortion and restrict a woman’s right to choose. The recent rise of so-called “crisis pregnancy centers” (CPC), which are at times funded by state and federal funds, exemplifies this deliberate disregard for socially accepted moral boundaries. There are two such CPCs in Memphis, ironically named “Life Choices,” funded by a coalition of Baptist churches. They advertise through TV commercials and billboards, though their religious affiliation is not sited. Thus, the CPC begins its trend of deceitfulness. Karen Inman, a CPC director, reports that about half the women who call are considering abortion and are not aware that Life Choices does not perform them, or make referrals to abortion clinics. Before receiving “aid,” the woman must take a pregnancy test. Their brochure states: “While waiting for the test results, a trained volunteer shares fetal development, methods and risks of abortion...” Before even receiving her test results, the woman is told that abortions are unhealthy and immoral. The volunteer is not licensed and holds no applicable degree. Women are dealing with volunteers who harbor an extreme anti-choice agenda. The “risks” of abortion are listed, but in no particular order, which is misleading. It includes everything from minor cervical lacerations to uterine ruptures to death. Though these complications can occur, Life Choices does not report their frequency. Serious threats usually occur only during third trimester abortions, which are rarely performed. This information is not shared with the women. Life Choices exaggerate the risks of abortion, but fail to mention that first-trimester abortion is 11 times safer than carrying a child to term. Poor women are lured to Life Choices for financial relief. The CPC offers “maternity clothes and baby items as an incentive.” They lie about the help women receive from the government. Karen Inman assured, “the government provides for single mothers to live in a decent lifestyle, with all of her needs met, for the first five years of her child’s life.” CPCs now outnumber and outfund abortion providers, making their lies more accessible than truth. Women must confront the reality that changing legislation and new right-wing judge nominations are not the only threats to reproductive choice. Abortion rights are being attacked from a new and deceptive angle by CPCs. Without recognizing and confronting their lies and manipulation, women have no chance against this hostile assault on reproductive rights. --Anna, Memphis, Women’s Action Coalition member |
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