Latest response to Guardian story on Crisis Pregnancy Care Services

We have still not been able to see the full transcript of what was said to the mystery client who visited the LIFE Care Centre at Goodwin's Court, London, and so it is not possible to comment fully on the recent article in the Guardian.

It is also worth highlighting that this report is based on non-scientific research carried out by a pro-abortion organisation.  As such, the results may not be objective and their findings have to be carefully considered in the light of their obvious bias. Indeed, the original artical was amended on the 4th and 5th of August because of a misleading statement made by the author, Ben Quinn. 

There are issues to which we can respond, however.  First, it is important to state that what the mystery client encountered was a skilled listening service provided at a drop-in centre and not professional counselling, which we also offer.  The skilled listeners are there to support clients in an ‘emergency' situation - their first port of call when faced with an unplanned pregnancy.  Counselling is often a longer process and involves a deeper, therapeutic relationship.

Secondly, if the LIFE volunteer did indeed use the term ‘baby' as is claimed, it is possible that she said this in response to the client's use of the word first, in which case this is completely acceptable.  Part of the skilled listening process involves reflecting what the client says back to them using their own language.

Thirdly, there are no baby clothes kept in the counselling room and the LIFE volunteer involved denies showing any such items to the client.

FInally, we completely accept that the LIFE volunteer was wrong to provide out of date information on abortion procedures.  She acted in clear breach of our policies and procedures, which are carefully designed to safeguard the welfare of our clients.  We are looking closely at how to ensure that our staff and volunteers avoid any such errors in the future.