Crisis pregnancy center
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Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) are non-profit organizations established by pro-life supporters that work to discourage pregnant women from choosing abortion. Most exist in the United States, and many provide some degree of supportive service to pregnant or parenting women. Many crisis pregnancy centers are affiliated with pro-life Christian groups. Those which are may be affiliated with a specific church, or the center may operate as a parachurch organization.
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[edit] Services
Depending on its size, resources, and affiliation, a crisis pregnancy center may provide the following services:[1][2][3]
- Pregnancy tests
- Ultrasound of the fetus
- Sexually transmitted disease tests
- Information favorable to the pro-life view about abortion procedures and their alleged risks
- Religious literature, including Bibles
- Maternity and baby clothing
- Referrals: medical, legal, housing, social agencies, professional counseling
- Information: jobs and career development, adoption, pregnancy and childbirth, child care, abstinence, marriage
Services are provided on a free and confidential basis to any woman, regardless of race, ethnicity, marital status, sexual orientation, or religion. However, crisis pregnancy centers must report to the police any cases of statutory rape.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers generally do not provide referrals for abortion and contraception. This decision is usually based on the pro-life views of those who operate CPCs.
A small number of CPCs are affiliated with maternity houses, or temporary homes for pregnant women and young mothers in crisis.
[edit] Criticism
Crisis pregnancy centers are the subject of intense criticism, with allegations that CPCs are deliberately ambiguous in their descriptions of their services, and that CPCs provide false or misleading information about abortion to women who enter the premises.
On March 30, 2006, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced a bill called the "Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women's Services Act", which aims to hold crisis pregnancy centers up to truth in advertising standards. [4]
On July 17, 2006, a Congressional investigative report was released by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), ranking member of the House Government Reform Committee. The report, titled False and Misleading Health Information Provided by Federally Funded Pregnancy Resource Centers states that CPCs in 15 states that received federal tax dollars misled or provided false information to investigators who called posing as pregnant 17-year-olds seeking advice about an unintended pregnancy.[5][6]
Critics charge that CPCs portray themselves as "medical facilities" when they do not have professional licensing from local or state health departments. Without licenses, these centers cannot provide well-woman exams, prenatal care or medical treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, nor can they provide prescriptions or refills for contraceptives. Critics claim that the only purpose of these centers is to discourage women from choosing abortion.
[edit] Funding and staffing
A center will have a director, who may be a full-time paid employee. Funding and resources are generally provided by churches, individuals and businesses that support the pro-life cause, matching gifts from employers, and grants. Some centers are members of United Way and receive designated gifts as well as a percentage of non-designated gifts. Fundraisers are often used as well. Some centers may receive federal funding. The Washington Post reported that over $60 million dollars of federal funds have been given to crisis pregnancy centers since 2001.[7]
Heartbeat International, Care Net, and Birthright International are three of the major organisations with national networks of crisis pregnancy centers in the United States. The largest UK organisations are CareConfidential and LifeUK.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Heartbeat International
- ^ Optionline
- ^ Birthright
- ^ Seeking a Crackdown on Deceit by Radical Anti-Choice Centers. Rep. Carolyn Maloney press release (2006-03-30). Retrieved on 2006-05-11.
- ^ Guttmacher Institute press report
- ^ False and Misleading Health Information Provided by Federally Funded Pregnancy Resource Centers, a Congressional investigative report prepared for Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA)
- ^ Edsall, Thomas B. (2006-03-22). Grants Flow To Bush Allies On Social Issues. Washington Post A01. Retrieved on 2006-05-11.
[edit] External links
- About Crisis Pregnancy Centers, a critical perspective
- NAF Policy Report on CPCs
- Pregnancy Centers Found to Give False Information on Abortion Washington Post (print view, no photos)
- Antiabortion Centers Offer Sonograms to Further Cause Washington Post (print view, no photos)
- Grants Flow To Bush Allies On Social Issues Washington Post (print view, no photos)
- Text of Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women’s Services Act introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY-14)
[edit] CPC listings
- Heartbeat International
- Care Net
- Option Line - 24-hour telephone and web-based listing and referral service operated by Care Net and Heartbeat International.
- Birthright International
