unwanted widespread coercion unsafe
teens & moms at risk unfair
injustice to all involved 
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unwanted, coerced or forced abortion ... post-abortion grief, trauma, injury and higher death rates “You mean you didn't want to have an abortion?" Her question pierced my heart. WOW, I thought, she doesn't know.
| Portrait of a non-choice ... 64% felt pressured by others1 More than half felt rushed, yet 67% received no counseling1 79% were not told about available alternatives1 65% suffer symptoms of trauma
1Coercion to abort can escalate to violence against women2 Coerced or forced abortion: internationally recognized as human rights abuse4 Homicide is the leading killer of pregnant women1, 2 |
"The rhetoric of choice suggests no coercion, direct or indirect." "Concealing relevant information should be recognized as coercion. Deceptive information presented as fact also acts coercively." "There seems to be no real screening process to protect women from unwanted abortions. If abortion providers ignore evidence of force being applied, they are complicit in forced abortion." - Melinda Tankard Reist, Giving Sorrow Words |
Experts and others who deny the many faces and forms of unwanted, coerced or even violently forced abortion ... or dismiss the aftershock of grief, injury and death add salt to the wounds ... and put other teens and women at risk, too. "Every time abortion is debated, it sounds 10 times as loud ...
it hurts 10 times as much." |
What is the UnChoice? Unwanted abortions, widespread coercion, forced abortion in America and elsewhere,
deceptive or inadequate counseling, ultimatums, non-support,
medical and other professional negligence, abuses & malpractice ...
as well as the heartbreaking, dangerous aftermath for women, men and families. » the UnChoice definition
» top 10 reasons it's the UnChoice |
Few people are aware of widespread unwanted abortions, the added danger to both the unborn and mothers, including risk of coercion, violence, death or other abuses that not only put unborn children at risk, but are a trauma, human rights abuse, and risk to mothers as well. As the web site Abortion Concern has noted:
"Some claim an abortion is only ‘forced’ if physical force — e.g., kidnapping — is involved, and that all other abortions have been ‘chosen’ ... even where women have been harassed or brutalized to cause them to comply. [We consider] the distinction between ‘forced’ and ‘coerced’ abortions irrelevant, as both are internationally recognized as human rights abuses. “'Coerced abortion is explicitly recognized as a violation of basic rights and principles.' – United Nations Population Fund"4
"What concerns us about the ‘forced’ versus ‘coerced’ argument is that it: a) dismisses the fact that coerced abortions are human rights abuses, and
b) legitimizes abuse of women by implying that any woman who had an abortion because she was unable to withstand being psychologically or physically abused, got what she deserved. ...
"Both ‘forced’ and ‘coerced’ abortions should be opposed as fundamental human rights abuses." top about The UnChoice Campaign and web site |
► This web site documents and exposes widespread unwanted, coerced, deceptively informed or even violently forced abortions, as well as physical and emotional harm and aftereffects.
► This web site makes it clear that this legacy is about human rights abuse, not "choice" or even "safe" or "wanted" abortion.
► This information and these resources will help deter those who are – right now – pushing or forcing teens and women into unwanted abortions and those who support abortion in the name of "choice" or "safe" abortion ... or in lieu of meaningful support and authentic choice. This site is the home of the UnChoice Campaign, which presents this information with a compassionate tone, an updated context and in user-friendly formats to educate people about these issues ... to stop further harm ... to offer a helping hand, hope and healing to those personally affected by abortion. Toward that end, please explore the 4 major sections of this site to learn more about this issue and how you can join this effort, run The UnChoice ads or campaigns in your community, or support this work in other ways. top This site contains four major sections. 1) about this issue Learn more about widespread unwanted, coerced or forced abortions; pregnancy-related abuses; and post-abortion issues such as trauma, injury and death. These injustices are common, yet widely dismissed and minimized by experts.
Find new research and facts about this issue, including the urgent need to protect the rights of everyone involved. 2) ads and awareness Free ads and user-friendly educational materials to download, print, copy and share with others. We offer three options for running the UnChoice ads or campaign in your area, including low-cost or free alternative ways to use the ads, PR and education tools, plus tips to help you communicate effectively and compassionately in mass media. All materials are bolstered by the latest academic research and expert insight into the nuances of these issues and how to best use mass media in a way that's both effective and compassionate. 3) advocacy and outreach Compassionate, research-validated, user-friendly tools to help raise awareness among the general public, the media, and religious and civic leaders. Includes sample letters, information kits, communication tools, and more. 4) help and healing If you or someone you know is facing an unexpected or challenging pregnancy or wants assistance after abortion, there is help available: Pregnancy-related resources for women and families facing a crisis pregnancy.
Post-abortion guides and resources, contacts and help for teens and women, men and families hurt by abortion. top
1. VM Rue et. al., “Induced abortion and traumatic stress: A preliminary comparison of American and Russian women,” Medical Science Monitor 10(10): SR5-16 (2004). 2. See the special report Forced Abortion in America.
3. I.L. Horton and D. Cheng, “Enhanced Surveillance for Pregnancy-Associated Mortality-Maryland, 1993-1998,” JAMA 285(11): 1455-1459 (2001); see also J. Mcfarlane et. al., "Abuse During Pregnancy and Femicide: Urgent Implications for Women's Health," Obstetrics & Gynecology, 100: 27-36 (2002). 4. United Nations Population Fund. |
