Since Word of Hope began in 1991, our hot line (888.217.8679) call volume has steadily increased—up to well over 3000 abortion related calls a year. Every day women and men contact us from congregations, schools, hospitals, prisons, and military bases across the country.
A significant number of our hot line calls are from young people who have been coerced into abortion.
“Tina” called saying, “I haven’t stopped crying since my abortion, I don’t want to eat or come out of my room. I wish I was dead. I can’t forgive my mother for dropping me off at an abortion clinic saying she would kick me out if I didn’t abort my baby.”
“Steve” called saying he forced his wife to get an abortion. “I told her I’d leave if she didn’t abort, but after the abortion she left me. I don’t understand what happened. She just wasn’t the same.”
“Wendy” called saying, “I don’t trust anyone anymore. All my friends and a few of my teachers told me I should abort. They all said a baby would ruin my life. But, the abortion has ruined my life.”
“Jill” called looking for help, “My boyfriend got mad when I told him that I was pregnant, he said he would jump on my stomach until the baby was dead if I didn’t abort. He said he’d kill me too because he didn’t want his wife to find out. I had an abortion like he wanted but I haven’t heard from him since.”
Their names have been changed, but their stories are all real. We often hear these and other similar stories of coercion on our hot line. Therefore, it is no surprise to me when I read statistics that say that 64 percent of abortions involve coercion. Some are violent, even homicidal.
Under Duress … “I’ll kill both you and the baby.”
Intense pressure to abort can come from husbands, counselors, parents, partners, doctors, or others. They may threaten blackmail or abuse a woman until she agrees to the abortion. Coercion can escalate to violence. Pregnant women who resist abortion have been beaten and killed.
Reasons women give for having abortions:
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Forced by mother
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Husband or boyfriend persuaded me
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Would have been kicked out
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Lack of support from society
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Father opposed
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Loss of family’s support
In 95 percent of all cases, the male partner played a central role in the decision and 64 percent felt pressured by others.
Up to 83 percent would have given birth if they’d had support from family and friends.
Uninformed Choice … “When I learned the truth I can’t tell you how betrayed I felt.”
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67 percent received no counseling beforehand
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84 percent received inadequate counseling beforehand
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79 percent not counseled about alternatives
Word of Hope recognizes the serious effects of these forced and uninformed choices, and is there to offer help and healing to those who come to our ministry beaten, abused, and hopeless.
How Do We help?
At Word of Hope we offer spiritual care, Bible studies, and recovery groups because with the love of Christ there is hope. We offer healing and reconciliation through God’s Word. Our message is simple and biblical: Word of Hope seeks to carry on the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the broken hearted. For the women, men, and families who have been wounded by abortion there is a Word of Hope, words of healing, and words of help. It is our prayer that those who suffer may, ”with all of God’s people, be able to understand how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18). Because of Christ there is hope.
How Can You Help?
There are many people hurting all around you, silently suffering from abuse and abortion. Many don’t know that we are here to help. You can help by building awareness of our ministry in your church. Put information in your church bulletin and place our brochures where they can be picked up.
For more information, copies of our brochures, or if you need to take the first step to recovery, please call our office toll-free at 888.217.8679.
(Statistics from “Forced Abortion in America” at www.unchoice.info/resources.htm.)