Establishing the Need

Studies and Statistics

• Since abortion became legal in 1973, over 30 million babies have been aborted.
• Statistics have shown that one in four women have at least one abortion by the age of 45.
  • Half of those have a second abortion. (These statistics do not differentiate between Christian and non-Christian women.)
• For every woman that has an abortion: Not only is the life of a baby ended, but the life of the mother is also wounded:
  1. Emotional wounds: Post-Abortion Stress, a post traumatic stress disorder [see attachment] A recent study showed that 65% of women having abortions experienced multiple post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and women who are more likely experience a negative reaction.
     1. Had feelings against abortion prior to the procedure
     2. Were pressured to abort
     3. Had deeply-felt religious views, or
     4. Received little or no counseling prior to the abortion [1]

        According to this study, the category of women experiencing the greatest percentage of post-abortion trauma issues would be pro-life and/or Christian (religious) women.

  2. Physical wounds: Subsequent miscarriages; infertility; premature births in subsequent pregnancies; injuries to bowel; etc.
  3. The lives of others involved are likewise affected:
     1. Baby's father
     2. Baby's grandparents
     3. Baby's siblings
     4. Parents' siblings
     5. Friends involved in the decision-making process
     6. Clinic/hospital staff (Doctors, nurses, counselors, etc.)

When the reach of its effect is tabulated, the reach of abortion touches more people in our country than it does not.

Even with such an enormous number of people having been hurt in some way by abortion, most churches have no programs or services specifically designed to meet their needs.

Because Post-Abortion Stress (PAS) is a post-traumatic stress disorder (see list of symptoms below), it requires specialized counseling over a period of time with a counselor trained in this area. Because of the shame that often accompanies it a promise of complete anonymity is also vital.

Also to be included in the proposal:

• What is Post-Abortion Stress?
• Why Women "Choose" Abortion
• Ten Tips for Churches to Reach Out to the Post-Abortive
• Starting Abortion Recovery At Your Church: Developing a Plan covering the following topics:
  • Training: Why It's Necessary; How Much is Needed; Where to Obtain It
  • Organizing Volunteers, Leaders
  • Promoting Your Ministry Within Your Church and Community
  • Preparing for Spiritual Warfare Establishing an Intercessory Prayer Team
  • The Importance of Personal Prayer and a Close Relationship with God

[1] Study conducted by Dr. Vincent Rue, a clinical psychologist, Dr. David Reardon of the Elliot Institute, and Priscilla Coleman, a researcher at Bowling Green State University. Reported by LifeNews.com 12/1/04.