by NexDev | November 8, 2016 | Abortion, Bioethics, Press Releases
Alliance VITA is critical of the French government’s relentless haste on the abortion issue, endorsed by the socialist party, obstinately insisting on passing legislation for a new penalty against numerical obstruction, by accusing “false Internet sites” of ostensibly deceiving women.
The text to be examined by an accelerated procedure on December 1st claims that some internet sites « prevent surfers from obtaining reliable and unbiased information.” Alliance VITA whose crisis center SOS Baby (www.sosbebe.org) was cited by the government, denounces the government’s attempt to gag and censure those who do not want to trivialize abortion, by targeting sites informing women on abortion alternatives.
According to Alliance VITA, what is really at issue is having access to unbiased information.
Caroline Roux, Coordinator of the listening service crisis center emphasizes:
“For the past 15 years, the quality of information on abortion published by public authorities has truly degraded. Currently when a pregnant woman consults for an abortion, the government no longer informs her of the benefits to which pregnant women are entitled. On its « official information site » the government makes no mention of this whatsoever. Additionally, on this same site, an alleged expert claims that after an abortion there are no long-term psychological side effects. This is in complete contradiction with our experience concerning what some women live through and with the results of the IFOP survey “The French and Abortion” published at the end of September 2016. The High Authority on Healthcare finds it is regrettable to see such a lack of evaluation on this point. An overwhelming majority of women want a genuine prevention policy for abortion. Therefore, it is irresponsible to hide the reality of such an act which is anything but trivial, since in every case the destiny of a human life is at stake. We are often called upon to accompany these women who have been enduring these difficult consequences alone.”
Tugdual Derville, General Delegate:
« Given the current situation, and beyond the scandalous fact of declaring a state of legislative emergency for a subject requiring discernment, time, and a genuine debate, it is completely irresponsible to attack our listening services. For the past 20 years, it has provided a public service that the public authorities deserted. Since French Health Minister Mrs. Rossignol has launched this controversy, our website has been mentioned many times by the media. However no one from her ministry has ever called our listening service to let us know which information was considered “offensive”. We were not interrogated on our field experience on this subject and our request for an appointment with the minister still remains unanswered. There is an urgent need for a serene and unbiased discussion to elaborate a policy focused on preventing abortion, particularly for women facing unexpected pregnancies.”
Alliance VITA has launched a petition against the government censorship, and in favor of promoting better information regarding the social help and financial benefits available for pregnant women.
So far over 30 000 individuals have signed this petition. A new nationwide awareness campaign is soon to be announced by the association. The campaign’s objective is to compensate the glaring lack of governmental clarity on this sensitive subject.
by NexDev | November 5, 2016 | News
Alliance VITA’s Assistant General Delegate, Caroline Roux was invited by Philippe David to speak on “Radio Sud” for the broadcast entitled “I Stand Alone” on November 2, to discuss abortion.
A few excerpts from the broadcast:
About abortion, a large number of women are victimized for feeling uneasy, due to the persistent obstinacy and prevailing stance in France which tries to convince us that abortion has no intimate, social nor ethical significance. However, women understand very well that human lives are at stake in an abortion. This leads to painful questions…”
« We have to face reality: abortion is primarily a social and humanitarian problem. Today, the issue is to try to understand why women resort to abortion. It is very important to be aware of one specific statistic: 72% of the women who abort admit they have been using contraception when they discovered that they were pregnant. Do we allow a margin for error? This is the starting point of a huge misunderstanding between men and women.”
« Women are victimized for feeling ambivalent: torn between joy and panic when faced with pregnancy. Pressure is put upon them to make a quick choice, just at the moment when they need some time to consider all the possible solutions.”
“The pressure regarding the time limit is completely occulted. It is even paradoxical since the deadline for having an abortion has been extended from 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Today the vast majority of abortions are drug-induced or “medical” abortions” and must take place between the first 5 to 7 weeks of pregnancy.”
« This is an opportunity for politicians and also the general public to change their stance on unplanned pregnancy to avoid a social stigma, such as some women experience today: feeling rejected and judged faced with an unplanned pregnancy. This is extremely disturbing and distressing for women.”
« Today, the issue is to find a genuine prevention policy for abortion, so that those who wish to avoid abortion can actually do so. The IFOP survey on abortion published in September 2016 reveals that 72% of the French population think that the public should do more to help women avoid abortion and 89% believe that abortion leaves psychological side-effects that are extremely painful. Faced with this challenge we should not just sit back or be discouraged.”
“There is an attitude of denial and a profound silence after an abortion. Even on the French government’s abortion website, there is a video of a gynecologist who goes to great lengths to confirm that there are no long-term psychological side-effects following an abortion. I’m not trying to say that every woman suffers, nor with the same intensity of emotions. But I have observed that some women suffer, and feel a need to speak about their abortion, sometimes quite a long time after the actual event. Young people are presented with so much technical information: go ahead and have sexual relationships, but be careful not to have children! This is extremely painful for young girls faced with pregnancy.”
« Women faced with this dilemma need to be able to voice their concerns and be heard, to let them know that abortion is not the one and only solution.”
“In my personal experience, I have listened to many women who chose “anonymous childbirth”. This is always a difficult and painful decision; I recall a woman who said: the fact is that society judges us, but as far as I’m concerned I made the gift of life to a child.”
by NexDev | November 4, 2016 | News
A recent study published in the English journal BMJOpen demonstrated that Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was measured in 38% of women having suffered a miscarriage; with 20% having anxiety and 5% experiencing depression.
Miscarriage occurs quite frequently, accounting for approximately 15 – 20% of early pregnancy loss in the first trimester, usually before the 10-week mark. However no psychological support is proposed to help these women who experienced an abortion and who acknowledge not emerging unscathed from the experience. Dr Jessica Farren, as principle author of the study insists: “We have the tools to treat post-partum depression, but we are not equipped to treat the trauma and the depression following the loss of a child”.
The psychological symptoms after miscarriage may include latent anxiety, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and behaviors to avoid situations which recall being pregnant.
In the past, miscarriages were rarely mentioned. But now they are coming out into the open. Recently in Canada, the Ontario court classified miscarriage as a disability. They stated that “it is an unusual situation which has an impact on the woman and her ability to behave adequately in society.”
The court’s vice-president concluded that « A miscarriage is definitely not a usual transient and fleeting disorder. Listening to the complainant’s testimony testifies to this fact since even today she suffers emotional distress related to her miscarriage.”
It appears urgent to obtain psychological accompaniment for women who might need support. One third of the women suffering miscarriage confirm that their symptoms had an effect on their professional careers with 40% attesting to an effect on their personal relationships. For Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cognitive behavioral therapy appears efficacious. Yet, according to experts, it is still to be proved whether this therapy can be adapted to women who experienced a miscarriage.
by NexDev | October 28, 2016 | Medically Assisted Procreation
The Cambodian government is considering a law banning commercial surrogacy, a move already taken by Thailand, Nepal and India.
The Justice Ministry spokesman made the disclosure on Wednesday October 26, 2016, in a meeting with members of the government, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and legal experts.
According to the research made by the Ministry the cost of surrogacy in Cambodia ranges between $20,000 to $50,000 US dollars.
The minister expressed his concern that vulnerable Cambodian women are being exploited to become surrogate mothers by unscrupulous agencies.
There are about 40 surrogacy providers and brokers operating in Cambodia, including those who relocated in this country from Thailand and India, following the current moves to shut-off surrogacy for all foreigners (a law was recently voted in Thailand – law of February 19, 2015 – and there is a proposition in progress in India).
This announcement is a confirmation of an impulse in Asia to condemn surrogacy in order to protect women in dire situations from this shameful traffic.
by NexDev | October 28, 2016 | Death and grieving, End of life, Euthanasia and Suicide, Press Releases
Alliance VITA denounces the lobbyists’ attempt to use the traditional day for commemorating deceased family members on November 2nd. to promote euthanasia, even though recent reports from Belgium and Holland demonstrate how euthanasia leads towards a downward spiral.
In Belgium, according to an official report published this month, there were over 2000 cases of euthanasia in 2015, twice the number recorded in 2010. Vulnerable people, suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or depression, are increasingly exposed. Since 2014 the law also authorizes euthanasia for minors of any age.
In Holland, over 5500 cases of euthanasia were noted in 2015, an increase of 75% in 5 years. The government has just announced that it hopes to legalize assisted suicide for elderly individuals who are “tired of living”, even if they are in good health.
November 2nd should be reserved for reverence
and spared from manipulation
Tugdual Derville, Alliance VITA’s General Delegate and author of “The Battle against Euthanasia” (Salvator editions) states:
“The French are especially attached to taking time on this day to mark their commemoration, in memory of the suffering related to their grief, and often this brings them life forces. Decorating the cemetery tombs and performing specific traditional memorial acts may help us connect today’s society with those who are no longer present. It is particularly indecent to circumvent this day in favor of an ideological objective to target death. No group of lobbyists or militants should be allowed to replace popular traditions by inventing days dedicated to advocating death.”
