Scottish Catholic Observer

In an article recently published in the Independent, a Marie Stopes representative called the UK a ‘Pro-choice nation,’ while discussing a survey done by the organisation which found that 67 per cent of women would not discuss an abortion decision with family.

Marie Stopes, one of the UK’s largest abortion providers, also claims that ‘on average one in every three women in the UK will have an abortion in their lifetime.’

Crises

Michael Robinson, Director of Communications for SPUC Scotland, responded to the article highlighting that only Marie Stopes gains from promoting and normalising abortion, while ‘the losers are always the unborn child and mothers.’

“A lot of woman who experience crisis pregnancies find it difficult to speak to their family —by definition, in a crisis, we don’t see the whole picture and so women often believe they can’t tell their family.

Then afterwards, they wish they had, as with hindsight they realise their family could have offered them support to have their child.

“Women can be overwhelmed with regret, guilt, self-loathing and fear that their families will never understand the panic or pressures that drove them to have an abortion, so they are left struggling in isolation and silence,” said Mr Robinson.

‘Fact of life’

In an Instagram post about the article, Marie Stopes goes on to say: “Imagine a world without abortion stigma. We would embrace abortion as a fact of life —with 1 in 4 women and people having one before they turn 45.”

A spokesman for the Catholic Church responded: “Every abortion is a tragedy for a mother and her unborn baby. It is not, and never can be accepted as a mere ‘fact of life’ to be embraced, endorsed or celebrated.

“Society must commit to upholding the right to life, the most fundamental and inviolable human right.

“Crucial to this is providing support and compassion to women and their families, be that emotional, practical or financial. Several charitable organisations are already undertaking this vital work across our dioceses.”

Statistics

The survey of 2,684 women aged over 18 conducted by Marie Stopes International found that 34 per cent of women would speak to their friends when considering an abortion, and 62 per cent would tell their sexual partner.

The results showed that 6 per cent would only speak to a medical professional about getting an abortion and that 67 per cent of women would not speak to their family when considering an abortion.

Michael Robinson said: “When you hear such statistics, remember that the majority of women experience pressure or force to abort and they may not be able to tell their families they are, for example, in an abusive relationship.

“Women may not even recognise the pressures to abort they are subjected to until afterwards, and they often blame themselves.

“There is much stigma around ambivalence in pregnancy—even the most planned or wanted pregnancy can bring some unexpected and very difficult feelings.

“Education, support and understanding around pregnancies (crisis or otherwise) can help all women and their families to follow the only natural path, nurturing life.”