healing after abortion

Many women experience distress after an abortion. Choices of Life is developing information and links to organisations that can provide support and encouragement for women, and men, who are searching for a way through their abortion experience.

The impact of abortion is profound and there is great need for genuine support and healing. Various agencies have been established to provide various types of counselling and support for both women and men.

Australian contacts:

1. Diamond Pregnancy Support in Sydney is an organisation that seeks to provide help and support to women and families facing an unplanned pregnancy. Through a network of community service organisations they are able to offer practical assistance in the way of baby and maternity goods, emotional and spiritual support through counselling and group classes to train and equip women and families facing an unplanned pregnancy. Specifically, Diamond Pregnancy Support provides for the relief of anxiety and distress faced by women surrounding an unplanned pregnancy by meeting their immediate and long term needs. Diamond Pregnancy Support works with women, their partners and families to provide long term solutions in the best interest of both themselves and their unborn child.
2. Pregnancy Problem House in Perth specialises in crisis pregnancy solutions. PPH describes their services, “We're here to help with FREE medical quality pregnancy tests, and, above all, our staff will explain to you every option you have if you're really pregnant.
   We understand that sometimes you need a place to process everything, to think through all your options and to feel safe to share what’s on your mind. We hope you'll visit us for free information about pregnancy, abortion procedures, parenting, adoption and sexual health.
   Our goal is to provide a safe environment to assist and educate you during and after your pregnancy. We are here to give you hope for the future, encouragement, and practical support during this difficult time. All services are free, caring and confidential.
3. Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Ministries, Australia is a confidential healing ministry for the many people, both men and women, who have been touched by an abortion experience. The purpose of Rachel's Vineyard Retreat Ministries is post-abortion reconciliation and healing for the "other victims" of abortion. The woman who has had an abortion, the person who at one time provided the abortion, the man or woman who has forced a daughter, spouse or girlfriend to have an abortion, the potential grandparents, brothers & sisters and all who have been denied. All of these people need help to deal with the grief, anger and sense of responsibility for a great loss.
4. Bernadette Black is providing a growing list of pregnancy support centres across Australia from Pregnancy Care in Coffs Harbour (NSW) to Pregnancy Assistance in Bunbury (WA) to Pregnancy Counselling in Brisbane (QLD) or in Battery Point (TAS). Many women feel a sense of hopelessness after an abortion.
5. Legal action may be sought and may be available, in Australia, through Abortion Legal Support. ALS is a network of independent lawyers located across Australia and New Zealand who offer a special service to those women who feel they have been harmed by their abortion experience.

Overseas Contacts:

1. Unborn Memorials (USA) for all (men and women) who are suffering grief after the loss of a child through stillbirth, abortion or miscarriage.
2. Faces of Abortion is a weekly television show in America dedicated to telling the stories of women who have had an abortion and who are also committed to overturning the two 1973 Supreme Court cases that brought legal abortion-on-demand to America. Faces of Abortionfeatures the personal stories of women - many after years of silence - about the long-lasting and harmful effects that exercising their right to choose has cost them.
3. Fatherhood Forever Foundation, Inc. (USA) was created to address the issue of abortion and men and to provide inspiration and restoration to these forgotten fathers.
4. The Elliot Institute is a comprehensive source of research and information on the physical and psychological risks of abortion and the epidemic of unwanted, coerced and forced abortions. Their mission is to help people understand that abortion does not help women, but that it exploits and harms the unborn child, the parents, and all involved.
5. Forsaken Taunton (UK) is dedicated to reaching out and supporting women who are facing a crisis pregnancy, or who have already gone through with an abortion.
6. Abortion Risks is a site providing opportunities for women and men to submit their stories. Many vital website links are provided.