NARAL's Attacks on Crisis Pregnancy Centers

Broadcast on WVCY's "Home Front" program on Wed., January 9, 2002

Good afternoon! And welcome to Homefront! I'm Julaine Appling, executive director of the Family Research Institute of Wisconsin located in Madison. FRI is a non-profit, pro-family, pro-life education and research organization, working to inform and to inspire the citizens of Wisconsin so that they can be appropriately involved in the legislative and cultural issues that affect our families, faith and freedom here in Wisconsin.

Today we're going to talk about an issue that is almost beyond belief—at least to me. Perhaps you've heard of NARAL--that's N-A-R-A-L--or the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, the granddaddy of the pro-abortion activists. This national group with state affiliates, works in close concert with Planned Parenthood Federation of America. NARAL says it is not a "provider" organization--in other words it is not comprised of doctors and medical professionals, which being interpreted means, this group itself doesn't perform abortions. In its own words, NARAL works "to educate Americans and officeholders about reproductive rights and health issues and [to] elect pro-choice candidates at all levels of government."

So, NARAL is the heavy hammer behind the pro-abortion lobbying, as well as being the organization that seeks to bring legal action against pro-life groups. And that's the aspect of NARAL's work that we're going to explore today. NARAL's most recent targets is what I consider to be one of the pro-life movement's jewels: our crisis pregnancy centers, those organizations that seek to provide care, concern and counsel to women who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy. Admittedly the care and counsel doesn't include abortion as an option; most of these CPC's will work to dissuade a woman from even contemplating an abortion. Our CPCs seek to instill an appreciation for life--a sense of the sanctity of human life--in their clients. And, no, these centers don't refer for abortions either. These are organizations dedicated to helping the women and protecting the life of the unborn child.

This past fall NARAL announced an all-out attack on what it calls "deceptive anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers." Working with its various state affiliates, NARAL is distributing Choice Action Kits, entitled A Step-by-Step Guide: Unmasking Fake Clinics and is seeking to systematically destroy these pro-life clinics that are working to save mothers and babies.

In a Fact Sheet on this issue, NARAL maintains that many of the crisis pregnancy centers "entice" women under the pretense of providing the full range of reproductive options, including abortion. Instead, NARAL contends, the staff at these so-called "deceptive" centers use "anti-abortion propaganda, misinformation and intimidation to dissuade women from exercising their right to choose." NARAL says crisis pregnancy centers use misleading advertising by doing such things as listing their organizations under "abortion alternatives." Now, even NARAL admits that the Yellow Pages displays a small box under the heading warning that the listed organizations do not provide abortion services or referrals. But, NARAL says, "a woman faced with a crisis pregnancy may not notice such a disclaimer or may still be undecided about whether to carry the pregnancy to term." My response: so? Because a woman doesn't notice the printed disclaimer doesn't make the crisis pregnancy centers guilty of misleading advertising.

NARAL also says the CPC's offer free pregnancy tests and counseling but don't mention their anti-choice stance, which misleads "unsuspecting" women into believing that they will be provided with unbiased information about all options, including abortion.

Another NARAL so-called "proof" that crisis pregnancy centers are "fake" or "deceptive" is that they choose neutral names that do not indicate their anti-abortion position. And this is illegal?? Or makes them "fake"? Frankly, I don't see it as even deceptive. Let's see what the pro-abortion crowd names their clinics right here in Wisconsin. For starters, we have Affiliated Medical Services in Milwaukee and Summit also in Milwaukee. Then we have Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin in both Milwaukee and Appleton. Now, if you didn't know the truth about Planned Parenthood--and by the way these are the only 2 Planned Parenthood clinics out of the over 30 clinics around the state where abortion are performed--would you have any reason to believe that abortions were performed at these sites, or at places named Affiliated Medical Services and Summit? I certainly wouldn't.

Frankly, I find these abortion provider names more deceptive than any crisis pregnancy center's name I know of. At least with names such as Crisis Pregnancy Center or CareNet or Alpha Home or Women's Resource Center or Loving Care Pregnancy Center you don't think you're going to a medical facility. Seems to me this deception idea can cut both ways.

Another allegation NARAL brings against CPCs is that they "purposely establish themselves near legitimate women's reproductive health care clinics that provide abortions." That's NARAL's wording, by the way; not mine. Now, how in the world is locating near an abortion provider deceptive? Last time I checked, this is America and businesses can usually locate just about wherever they want or can afford to be. This isn't deception--in one sense it's good, old-fashioned American capitalism at work, but in another more serious sense, it is an effort to offer a true choice to a woman seeking help during an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy. And, most importantly, it's an effort to save the life of a baby!

Now, here's one that's very interesting. NARAL says that these so-called "fake" CPC's answer questions with evasion and lies. I want you to know that I am quoting from NARAL's Fact Sheet on this issue: "Because the ads placed by fake clinics advertise health services without specifically explaining these services, women often call to inquire which services are offered and the cost for services such as abortions. When confronted with such inquiries, the staff at CPCs may evade the question or lie outright in order to attract the woman into the center."

Ok--I'll admit that we have in our possession NARAL's Choice Action Kit on how to "unmask" these, as they see them, "fake" CPCs. Believe me, this 60-page booklet (which has to be purchased) makes for very interesting reading. In one section of this booklet, under the pretense of "researching," NARAL gives suggestions for how a person working undercover for NARAL can find out about local CPCs. Here's some of what they offer: Call a CPC and say, "I think I'm pregnant and need a pregnancy test and information. Can you help?" Then there's a list of questions for the agent to ask, such as "can you tell me what services you provide? Do you provide information on abortions, can I obtain an abortion at your center?" and so on.

If that's not enough, NARAL also has a complete description of the role an agent should assume for this work. "You are a young woman in your senior year of high school up to your junior year in college. You are over 18 years old." The scenario description goes on: "you also don't know much about abortion. You repeat as much as possible that you cannot have this baby." And, "your job once in the CPC with the positive pregnancy test (which is probably a test from someone else) is to keep them talking." NARAL's booklet suggests having a buddy with you who gives her real first name but has a false last name handy, just in case. She concocts some story about her relationship with you. The suggestions continue: "You don't have to respond directly to the CPCs questions or offers of aid. Keep an eye on the clock and time your tape recorder. If possible, don't let the recorder turn off while CPC staff are in the room. It makes a distinctive noise." You will need to create a "fictitious but easily remembered last name." NARAL even says they will supply you with your address, phone number, school, major, age, name and race of father and other medical type information. And, finally, in all capital letters: "DO NOT CARRY IDENTIFICATION INTO THE CPC WITH YOU." "Stay in character while entering the clinic, during the visit, as you depart from the clinic, and until you are out of sight of the clinic."

And this is the group that is claiming that CPC's are deceptive and answer questions with evasion and lies? I don't know about you, but I find this unbelievable. Secret taping of a conversation? I thought that was illegal.

NARAL has all the information gathered for pro-abortion activists to go after CPCs. They suggest 3 goals: The short-term goal is to research CPC practices, organization structure, funding sources, and presence in local schools and/or the community. Find out what laws and regulations apply. The intermediate goal is to persuade a state attorney general to bring litigation against targeted CPCs. And the long-term goal is stop CPCs from providing women false and misleading information. Each of these goals has targets, tactics, a timeline and a list of who should be doing what.

Lest you think NARAL's plan is just "on paper," let me tell you about what's happening in New York City. In just the last few days, New York's Attorney General has issued subpoenas to several crisis pregancy centers in the New York Metropolitan Area--Expectant Mother Care. According to the subpoena, among other things, the centers "may have violated one or more . . . statutes by misrepresenting the services they provide. . . and/or providing deceptive and inaccurate medical information."

Folks, that's exactly the plan NARAL has laid out in its Choice Action Kit booklet. Remember that intermediate goal: persuade a state attorney general to bring litigation against targeted CPCs. Obviously, someone has already done the undercover work and has found a target. And, if it can happen in New York, it can happen in Wisconsin.

NARAL's plan is insidious. It strikes me as a tactic done out of fear--fear that CPCs are "robbing" abortion providers of clients and thus, of dollars. We need to remember that the "pro-choice" line that we hear from the pro-aborts is really a cover.

Abortion is big business. As you know, many people make a handsome living from killing babies. Plus, most of the pro-abortion counseling clinics get federal and state money to help them assist women in choosing to kill their unborn child—that's yours and my tax dollars at work. Frankly, I don't know personally of any CPC that takes government funding.

Really, I think NARAL is also just plain jealous. On page 4 of NARAL's little kit booklet, it is noted that "nationside CPCs far outnumber abortion providers. While there are over 3000 CPCs across the country, . . . there are only approximately 2000 abortion providers." This portion even notes the states with the highest number of CPCs--and, I am very proud to say, Wisconsin is included in the top 10!! That's a top-10 listing I'll take any day! Think of how many babies we're saving, and how many young women are being given counsel and care that will protect them and their babies--now and in the future.

As an educator, I always pay attention to report cards. And, normally, I'm not too thrilled with an F on a grade card. However, I have finally found an F I am totally pleased with. Yes, NARAL graded the states for abortion laws, and Wisconsin received an F! Why? Because 93% of Wisconsin counties have no abortion provider; because between 1992 and 1996, the number of abortion providers fell from 16 to 11, a 31% loss, because 625,000 women in Wisconsin need contraceptive services and supplies and because 8.9% of women in Wisconsin lack health insurance. I say let's keep working so that next time, Wisconsin earns an F- or even an G or an H! How about 100% of our counties with no abortion provider?

In case you're wondering, Wisconsin does have a NARAL affiliate--actually, NARAL has 2 offices here, one in Madison and one in Milwaukee. And, since we're a state with, as NARAL sees it, "too many" CPCs, I'd guess that even as I speak some NARAL representative somewhere around the state is doing some undercover investigative work on some CPC. I do want you to know, however, that the CPCs are becoming well aware of NARAL's attack--and I'm sure they are on high alert. By the way, that term "high alert" is particularly apt because the pro-abortion crowd sees CPCs as terrorists in the pro-life/pro-abortion war.

So, what can you do? At least, that's what I hoping you're asking at this point. The CPCs in your local area need your help. They need your financial support; they are always looking for donations of baby clothes and furniture and maternity clothes. They usually are begging for volunteers to work staff the houses and help in any number of ways. I know they'd appreciate your prayers--for protection, for wisdom, for resources. If you don't know if you have any CPCs in your area, start by looking in the phone book--and then ask your pro-life activists friends or contact a group such as Pro-Life Wisconsin. I know the Baptists and the Lutherans both run CPCs...check with your church to see if someone there knows about a CPC that could use your help. CPCs are our frontline troops, friends. Especially when they are being besieged by NARAL, we need to stand with them and even fortify them! What are you willing to do behind the lines to help?

For more information on this issue or on other cultural or legislative issues here in Wisconsin, please contact FRI by phone at 608-256-3228 or by e-mail through our web site at www.fri-wi.org. We'd be happy to help you—that's what FRI is all about—informing and inspiring Wisconsin citizens to be involved in the important cultural and legislative issues of our day.

Thanks for listening today! This is Julaine Appling for The Family Research Institute of WI, reminding you that the prophet Hosea said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."