LIFE, the national charity, have published the results of a survey, which reveals that a significant proportion of women experience psychological suffering after abortion. This follows on from an exclusive report and letter in today’s Times newspaper (p.22 & p.40: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2424034.html / http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,59-2423358.html) from 15 eminent psychiatrists and lawyers calling for a review of medical guidelines to clearly identify the potentially damaging psychological consequences of abortion on women’s health. Attached to this e-mail is a longer statement from those who wrote to The Times giving a thorough explanation of why a change to medical guidelines is necessary.
248 women responded to adverts which LIFE placed in six women’s magazines (including Woman’s Own, Chat and Pick Me Up) between April and early July 2006 inviting people to tell us about their abortion experiences. Of the 248 respondents, 111 were interviewed on the telephone and answered a prepared questionnaire. Fifteen sent emails. 134 texted us – and twelve of these then went on to do a telephone interview. 204 out of 248, deeply regretted what had happened. 64 out of the 96 who answered the question “if you had known what the effects might be would you have gone through with the abortion?” answered “no”, sometimes very emphatically. Almost all those 96 were adamant that women ought to be given more information and more counselling beforehand.
LIFE spokeswoman Anna Pringle said: “This survey confirms the reality that LIFE counsellors and support staff see and hear every day. We know that, for many women, abortion can have a devastating impact on their psychological health.
We hope that the experiences of these women will bring to light the silent suffering experienced by so many. Given what we know, it is vitally important that we re-think our approach to crisis pregnancy in this country. Women who are considering such a serious decision, want accurate information, proper support and the offer of genuine alternatives to abortion.
For more information or to speak to women willing to tell their stories please contact Anna Pringle on 0773 807 0886 or 020 7240 1276.
Press Release - 27/10/2006