Elliot Institute 2004 Year End Report
Through your support, we have been blessed during the last year to have accomplished the following major activities:
- We published a 54-page pocket guide, Reversing the Gender Gap, for pro-life politicians who want to articulate concern for women hurt by abortion. It was praised by one politician as “the best printed resource for politicians” he had ever seen. To supplement this effort, we also created a Political Resource Kit containing fact sheets, polling data, talking points and other material especially designed for use by politicians, lobbyists, and activists.
- We published the special report, “Forced Abortions in America,” which documents the widespread problem of coerced abortions and the abuse of women who resist.
- We have been working with pro-life groups in four states that are interested in passing all or portions of our model legislation, which would define the failure to screen for risk factors of abortion as negligence.
- Five of our new studies have been published in journals of medicine, psychology, or law:
- Sixty-five percent of American women studied experienced multiple symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with 14 percent having all symptoms necessary for a diagnosis of abortion induced PTSD (Medical Science Monitor).
- Women who abort are 30 percent more likely to have subsequent anxiety problems compared to women with unintended pregnancies who deliver. (J Anxiety Disorders)
- Women who abort are significantly more likely to engage in subsequent substance abuse compared to women whose unintended pregnancies are delivered. (Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse)
- This review of proven risk factors for psychological or physical complications of abortion demonstrates that abortion providers who ignore their obligation to screen for these risks are guilty of negligence. Malpractice complaints and state laws should be amended to hold abortionists more properly liable. (J Contemp Health Law & Policy)
- A review of studies demonstrating higher death rates of abortion compared to childbirth provides a basis for states to regulate first trimester abortions even within the standards required by Roe v Wade. (J Contemp Health Law & Policy)
- Two additional studies have already been accepted for publication in 2005.
- In addition, we have had four letters published (in the New England Medical Journal, The Lancet, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Obstetrics and Gynecology) correcting inaccuracies and omissions in reports published by other authors by drawing attention to the latest research on abortion complications.
- We published four issues of The Post-Abortion Review; twelve issues of our email newsletter, Elliot Institute News; and expanded the content of our Internet site at www.afterabortion.org, which served over two million page requests over the last year.
- We distributed 23 news releases regarding our studies, publications, or related commentary.
- Our six part television series called “Making Abortion Rare” aired twice (in January and July) on the cable/satellite network Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) in January. The series is based on Dr. Reardon’s book of the same title and is hosted by Dr. Reardon and Dr. Theresa Burke, with whom he co-authored Forbidden Grief.
- We continue to participate as advisors for the Justice Foundation’s motions on behalf of Norma McCorvey (Jane Roe) and Sandra Cano (Doe), asking the Supreme Court to reverse the rulings in Roe v. Wade and Doe v Bolton because of the new evidence that abortion is harmful to women. The McCorvey motion has progressed through appeals and is now before the Supreme Court which will decide this winter or spring whether to take it under review.
- We answered innumerable inquires for information from students, legislators, attorneys, academics, pro-life lobbyists, in addition to hundreds of women and men who have been hurt by past abortions.
These and other accomplishments were achieved through the efforts of just 394 Donating Partners, two full-time employees, and one part-time employee.
Our Donating Partners contributed an average of $215 per partner, for a total of $85,015. This accounted for approximately 64% of our total income for the year, $133,377. Our total expenditures were only $135,493.
People like you are the backbone of our ministry.
These are the successes of everyone affiliated with the Elliot Institute, whether as one of our generous Donating Partners or as one of our small staff.
For those reading this report who are already among our 394 Donating Partners, we again extend our thanks, and we pray you will continue to participate in this ministry in 2005.
For the rest of the 16,012 persons who have joined our email list, we ask that you will prayerfully consider becoming more than just an observer of our work.
When you look at list of accomplishments above in light of our $135,493 in expenditures, you will quickly see that the Elliot Institute is among the most efficient and effective charities you have ever supported.
Imagine what we could do with 3000 donors averaging $215 in donations per year!
While we are glad that we have so many people observing our work, what we really need are partners who share in our work as Donating Partners.
With a ministry as small as ours, you can make a big difference whether your contribution is as small as $30 or as large as $5000.
Thank you so much for your support. And please also remember us, our efforts, and our families in your prayers. In turn, we remember you, and all of our Donating Partners, in our prayers.
Soli Deo Gloria — To God Alone the Glory
