Abortion
1. DEFINITION
The Macquarie Dictionary defines abortion as “the removal of a foetus from the mother’s womb before it is viable”.
2. BIBLE REFERENCE
Exodus 20:13
“You shall not murder.”
Psalm 139:13
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
3. FACTS
·There are 100,000 abortions in Australia each year.
·There are 800 abortions each week in NSW - approximately 40,000 annually.
·There are 250,000 live births each year in Australia, which means that there are 2 aborted babies for every 5 born.
·The average age of an aborted baby is 8 weeks.
·There were only 40 adoptions in NSW in 1997.
·98% of abortions are for convenience (these reasons do not include medical purposes, rape or foetal deformities).
·In South Australia only 1% of abortions are claimed for medical grounds.
·Many women who have had abortions suffer from a condition known as Post-abortion syndrome.
4. GOVERNING STRATEGIES
Federal Government has decided to introduce a new Medicare payment for pregnancy support counselling by general practitioners and, on referral, by other health professionals. Women who have had a pregnancy in the preceding 12 months will also benefit by being able to access pregnancy support counselling under Medicare.
(A). National Pregnancy Support Telephone Helpline
The Federal Government will fund this telephone helpline, which will provide professional and non-directive advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Helpline will provide assistance to women, their partners and family members who wish to explore pregnancy options.
For more details, please visit:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/content/phd-pregnancy-helpline
(B). Non-Directive Pregnancy Support Counselling MBS Items
These items provide new Medicare benefits for the provision of non-directive pregnancy support counselling, psychologists, social workers and mental health nurses. This service is available to women who are concerned about a current pregnancy or a pregnancy that occurred in the preceding 12 months. These services can be used to address any pregnancy related issues for which non-directive counselling is appropriate.
For more details, please visit:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/content/health-pcd-pregnancy-support
More information on the pregnancy support counselling services is at www.health.gov.au
5. HOW YOU CAN ACT
(A). To make your views on abortion known
Below are tips from the Right to Life (NSW) on what can be done on this issue:
·Become informed on the issue. The Issues section and All Life Matters publications of the Right to Life (NSW) website are a good place to start.
·Make sure your local Federal member and the Senators for your state know your views on the pro-life issue. Handwritten letters in your own words are most effective. Carefully consider the issue when determining how and for whom you will vote for at the State and Federal elections.
·Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Don’t underestimate its influence. Even if your letter doesn’t get in, it means someone else’s similar letter will.
·Express your opinion on talk-back radio making one or two clear points.
·Talk about the issue with your friends. Don’t underestimate your sphere of influence. Half an hour with a friend discussing and working through issues is a contribution which no organisation can match, and has the potential to make a real dent in public opinion on pro-life issues.
(B). To help yourself
If pregnancy comes as a shock to you, whatever you do decide to do, there are people who can help. Turn to someone you trust, a friend or a relative, or contact one of the below.
·Your family doctor.
·Your local hospital.
·Community Health Centres – check for your local service in your telephone book – they can help with pregnancy testing, advice and relationship counselling.
·The Right to Life (NSW) http://www.nswrtl.org.au/
·The Women Forum Australia – http://www.womensforumaustralia.org/index.php
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND FURTHER READING
Macquarie Dictionary (2007), “Abortion”, Macquarie University, Published by Macquarie Library:
http://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/202.146.8.4@FFC90138840/-/p/thes/index.html
Right to Life (NSW), Abortion Statistics:
http://www.nswrtl.org.au/abortion.html
Australian Government, Department on Health and Ageing (2007): Pregnancy support counselling:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/content/health-mediarel-yr2006-ta-abb024.htm
Australian Government, Department on Health and Ageing (2007) National Pregnancy Support Telephone Helpline http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/content/phd-pregnancy-helpline
Australian Government, Department on Health and Ageing (2007) Non-Directive Pregnancy Support Counselling MBS Items: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/content/health-pcd-pregnancy-support
Right to Life (NSW), “What can I do”:
http://www.nswrtl.org.au/difference.html
Children and Youth Women Health Service, Youth Adult Health, Sexual Health, Pregnancy
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=240&np=299&id=2136
