Abortion in the Media

Channel 7 News has reported that there has been a backlash against anti abortion billboards on display in the western suburbs of Adelaide. The billboards were created by an unidentified individual and sponsored by a group 'Howgoodisthat'.
Gerda Jezuchowski reported that one of the billboards was removed because it "sensationalised the consequences of a medical procedure". 
South Australian Minister for the Status of Women, Gail Gago "took off her political hat" and offered her opinion, saying "I personally find the billboards to be offensive and most unhelpful to women" and that they are "arrogant and patronising to women".

Chelsea Lewis, policy officer of YWCA said "There's a whole range of circumstances why women choose to have abortions and they don't need this in their faces when they are making a decision that is their legal right".

With one in three Australian women having abortions in Australia, it is the most common female procedure. Therefore, it is important there is an ongoing conversation about abortion - why women have abortions, influences and the difficult circumstances women find themselves in. There is a lack of information about statistics, possible side effects, available support and about the procedure of abortion, that women are entitled to know. The pro abortion lobby are certainly not forthcoming with accurate information and need to be challenged. Burying our heads in the sand and not exploring these issues for women is what is "most unhelpful" to women. For this reason, Life Network Australia welcomes campaigns that put abortion 'back on the table' for discussion.

Both Ms Lewis and Ms Gago claim to advocate for women,(which they may genuinely believe they do with abortion) and run programs to fight domestic violence. American evidence shows that abortion goes hand in hand with domestic violence and that many women go through abortion feeling they have "no choice". The research also shows that for some, abortion is devastating, with long term consequences. Failure to acknowledge post abortion pain makes recovery near impossible.

Psychologist,  Dr Priscilla Coleman, has articles published in medical journals, about the impact of abortion on women and families. Dr. Coleman will be in Australia at the Real Choices Conference in Sydney in May 14 - 16. It would be advantageous for anyone working in women's health, mental health and politics to attend and get informed about abortion. Improved knowledge will inevitably result in better services and outcomes for women, families and communities.

Disturbingly, both Chelsea Lewis and Gail Gago fail to make any mention of those most affected by abortion, the unborn babies, and only refer to abortion in terms of a 'legal right' (which is incorrect as abortion is illegal in S.A) and in reference to the feelings of the mother.

Well known South Australian Pro life campaigner, Trevor Grace, offered his support to those running the billboard campaign, saying that they were entitled to express their concern about abortion.