Silent No More

Source:   Elliot Institute;
November 23, 2002
Silent No More Post-Abortion Awareness Campaign Begins

Washington, DC -- A new post-abortion awareness campaign called "Silent No More: Women speak out about their abortion experience" will bring women who have had abortions together at state capitols and in Washington, D.C., in January 2003 to speak out about their abortion experience.

According to Georgette Forney a co-founder of the campaign, "We are the voice that hasn't been heard. There is a lot of talk about whether or not abortion should be legal, but very little attention is given to the women who have actually had abortions. I regret having an abortion and I know that there are millions  of women who feel the same way."

"The truth is abortion affects us physically, emotional and spiritually. It's time to speak honestly about the pain we've lived with and we want to help women who are hurting find healing. After 30 years it's time to listen to the women who have experienced it," Fourney explained.

"Silent No More" expects to be the beginning of a national campaign to raise awareness about the aftereffects of abortion. The campaign will also seek to reach the many women who are suffering in silence, offering them abortion recovery help and resources.

State gatherings are being held in 35-50 states at various times during the week of January 18 -26, 2003. The gathering in Washington, D.C., will take place January 22, 2003 after the March for Life.

David C. Reardon, Ph.D., director of the Elliot Institute and an expert on post-abortion research and education, this is the second time the theme "silent no more" has been used by abortion activists. It was first used by the early eighties, by abortion advocates who gathered at "Silent No More" rallies to read the  testimonies from women who had suffered from illegal abortions.

"Their goal was to educate the public about the horror of illegal abortions in an effort to bolster support for legal abortion," said Reardon. "Ironically, they just assumed that legal abortion must be better for women. Since my research at that time was showing that legal abortions were also harmful to women, I was inspired by these rallies to name my first book, 'Aborted Women, Silent No More.' Indeed, my research led me to  conclude that legal abortion might be causing even more harm to women than illegal abortions had. Legalization had created the false impression that abortion had been proven to be safe and beneficial and thereby reduced levels of caution. Even more seriously, legalization made it easier for men to pressure women into unwanted abortions. These, and other effects, led to ten times as many women suffering from abortions each year."

Reardon says it is very fitting that this new generation of abortion witnesses should speak out under the same title as the victims of illegal abortions. "Their testimonies prove that while the legality of abortion has changed, it's harmful effects on women have not."

Women who are interested in participating in "Silent No More" may sign up by going to the Silent No More website at http://www.HelpAfterAbortion.com or by calling 1-800-707-6635.