Crisis pregnancy are usually operated by churches or religious organizations who are pro-life. These groups want to be the first to contact a woman when she is pregnant to try to "talk her out of" getting an abortion. Crisis Pregnancy Centers also offer bible study sessions for women who have already received abortions to try to "save their souls". They also use sonograms as a way to persuade women not to abort. In 2006 a bill was introduced titled, Stop Deceptive Advertisting for Women's Services. This bill states that Crisis Pregnancy Centers must state the truth in advertising campaigns. Many Crisis Pregnancy Centers say that they will offer an abortion as a choice, yet when women go there they are attacked with people trying to talk them out of it.
Violent Protests on Abortion Clinics
Violent protests on abortion clinics started in the early 1970's in the U.S. after the ruling of Roe v. Wade. There has been numerous accounts of damage including arson attacks, bombings, and shootings. In 1996, it has been recorded that thirteen million dollars of damage had been caused by antiabortion groups arson attacks. These attacks have lead to some clinics being shut down due to the staff wanting to quit due to the fear they encountered on a daily basis. On May 31st in Wichita, Kansas, Dr. George Tiller was murdered by Scott Roeder, an anti-abortion activist. Tiller was the medical director at a clinic that provided women's health care services such as abortions. Dr. George Tiller provided abortions to women because he had a good friend who had died due to an illegal abortion. He had a passion to help women and improve their lives. Scott Roeder, Tiller's killer, believed that god had wanted him to kill Tiller and that he was "supposed to do this". Scott Roeder said in court that abortions are not right because it is not "a mans job to take life it is gods job" although he took George Tiller's life.
Abortion Law Restricts Teen Options
Many states have considered or adopted laws that would prevent teens under 18 from obtaining an abortion unless they involve a parent or go to court to try to get a waiver. This has made it extremely difficult for teens under 18 to receive abortions in a safe manner. Many teens who don't tell their parents have very good reasons for doing so. In one study, 22% of teens who did not tell a parent about their abortion decision feared that if doing so they would be kicked out of their house. Going to court to get a waiver is not a good alternative. When teens are forced to go into court to talk to a judge it often causes fear and anxiety. Delays in the court process increases the risk of the procedure and even makes it unobtainable for some teens.
-Stephanie Westfall
