First National Conference of "Women at Risk" Slated
Women at Risk, a national coalition of women and their family members who
have been hurt by past abortions, will be holding its first national conference
in St. Louis, Missouri, on August 7th and 8th, 1998.
"The goal of this national conference is to create state and local chapters
which will advocate for laws to safeguard women from unwanted and dangerous
abortions," said Miriam Dapra, conference coordinator.
What is Women at Risk?
Women at Risk is made up of women who have had abortions and were either:
(1) pressured into unwanted abortions by others; (2) mistreated by abortion
practitioners or counselors; (3) denied information relevant to making
an informed decision about abortion; (4) injured physically, psychologically,
and/or emotionally by abortion; (5) denied legal recourse to seek compensation
for abortion-related injuries; and/or (6) ignored by the media, legislators,
or others who would presume to speak for them.
The organization also welcomes men who have lost children to abortion
and family members of women who have been hurt by abortion.
As a new public advocacy organization, Women at Risk is seeking to protect
the health and safety of women by making abortion practitioners properly
liable for abortion-related injuries. The group will lobby for laws expanding
women's rights to full disclosure of abortion risks and their legal right
to seek damages for physical, psychological, and emotional injuries.
Dapra said a major concern is that "as many as 30 to 50 percent of women
are submitting to unwanted abortions because of the demands of their parents,
boyfriends, or husbands. Abortionists should be required to protect these
women from being forced into a violation of their consciences that will
result in severe self-reproach, grief, and other psychological problems."
As a public voice for those who have had abortions, Women at Risk will
also strive to promote a more sensitive and healing environment for women
and families who struggle with a past abortion. The national, state and
local chapters will provide referrals to appropriate counseling services
for those suffering from a negative abortion experience.
Women at Risk is in need of both public spokespersons and "behind the
scenes" supporters. This is an excellent way for those who are not comfortable
speaking publicly about their abortion experience to make a difference
in the abortion debate.
Conference Information
The national conference is open to anyone who is interested in joining
or working with Women at Risk. Post-abortion ministries are especially
encouraged to have at least one representative at this conference. The
focus of the conference will be on strategic planning and development of
state and local chapters.
The conference will be held at the Renaissance Hotel, which is located
near the Lambert-St. Louis airport. It will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday,
August 7, and end at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 8.
Early registration (before July 10) is $25. Registrations postmarked
between July 10 and August 1 will be $35. The registration fee includes
lunch on Saturday.
Attendees will also receive a special room rate of $79 (for one to four
occupants) if they book their hotel room before July 10. Call (800) 228-9290
to reserve a room. Be sure to mention the Women at Risk conference when
you call.
Space is limited, so those wishing to attend the conference should send
in their registration and fees as soon as possible.
For more information on Women at Risk or the conference, write to: Women
at Risk, PO Box 7375, Springfield, IL 62791- 7375. You can also contact
Miriam Dapra by phone at (217) 525-5879, or by e-mail at womenatrisk@juno.com.
Information is also available on the web site at http://members.tripod.com/~womenatrisk.
Originally published in The PostAbortion Review 6(2) Spring 1998. Copyright
1998 Elliot Institute.
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