First National Conference of "Women at Risk" Slated • AfterAbortion.org

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.