Misconceptions about pro-life

In the wake of the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) across the nation have experienced a wave of vandalism, intimidation, and arson. The targeting of these centers by violent activist groups angered by the Dobbs decision suggests a lack of understanding about the work that PRCs do and how they operate. These faithbased community organizations exist to offer compassion, hope, and help to women facing an unplanned pregnancy. They offer services such as pregnancy testing, options consultation, (including information on parenting and adoption, as well as accurate, medically sourced information about abortion), classes on pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting, material assistance, sexual risk avoidance education, after-abortion recovery support, referrals for medical care, and a bridge to community and public health resources. Many are also staffed with licensed medical professionals and offer services such as limited obstetric ultrasounds and STD testing and treatment. Their services are usually offered free of charge to those they serve.

Although it is difficult to vouch for every one of the more than 3,000 prolife pregnancy resource centers in the U.S., the vast majority of them operate under one of two major parent organizations for pregnancy help ministries, Care Net and Heartbeat International. Both of these parent organizations require their affiliates to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. I recently had the opportunity to go through Care Net’s training program and can attest that the following are indeed misconceptions about pregnancy resource centers:

Misconception No. 1:

They only care about the baby, not the woman. The woman’s well-being, physically, mentally, and spiritually, is of the highest importance. If a client decides to parent, the staff and volunteers will be there to walk with her not just through the pregnancy, but also through the early years of her child’s life. Classes on pregnancy, childbearing, and parenting give staff the opportunity to form lasting connections of encouragement and support during a time in a woman’s life when she needs it the most. If a woman decides to place for adoption, she will be connected with several agencies who will walk her through the process. If she decides to have an abortion, she can return if she wishes to seek help with recovery.

Misconception No. 2:

They try to fool women into thinking that they are an abortion clinic.

The staff are thoroughly trained to be clear from the outset that they do not perform or refer for abortions. Women seeking an abortion are informed of this as soon as abortion services are requested.

Misconception No. 3:

They use shaming and guilt tactics to convince women not to have an abortion. Staff are trained to treat women with respect and listen with compassion and care, never shaming or condemning a woman. In fact, it’s not uncommon that staff members have themselves had an abortion in their past and are coming from a place of personal experience.

They understand the decision is hers and see their role as educator and client advocate.

Misconception No. 4:

They create a high pressure, coercive environment. In fact, PRCs strive to create the opposite: a calm atmosphere where a woman feels that she is respected and given the space to process through her situation. She is encouraged to take the time she needs to talk through her goals, desires, fears, and unmet needs. Staff members know that it is difficult to make good life decisions in a high pressure environment. In addition, all care is permission-based. For example, a woman may be asked if she would like information on adoption, but if she indicates that she does not, that information will not be presented. If she indicates that she is considering abortion, she may be offered medically sourced information on procedures and risks, but if she indicates that she does not want it, it will not be presented to her.

Misconception No. 5: They will prevent clients from leaving until they’ve prayed for them.

Women are free to leave at any point. The client is in the driver’s seat. Staff may, in some situations, offer prayer, but if the client declines, the staff member is trained to always respect her wishes.

In the light of an accurate understanding of the vital work PRCs do in our communities, the anger and aggression toward these centers is clearly misplaced. The destructive acts of vandalism carried out at these centers only serve to prevent women and families in need from receiving the help that they need. The fact that PRCs provide essential free services which especially help women and families in poverty obtain medical care, early intervention, and material assistance in a way that no government agency is able, should make them welcome in any community.

(Jessica Burchett is a member of Bishop Creek Community Church. We meet Sundays at 700 Hobson Ave., corner of Hobson and Keough, at 11 a.m.; (760) 872-7188; www. BishopCreekCommunity. org.)