Wild claims don’t stand up to scrutiny.

Upon reading Rita Feeney’s “Issue of coercive abortions exposed” on Sept. 24, we asked ourselves: “Must we respond to another ‘fact-challenged’ opinion piece from the leader of the Maine Right to Life Committee that does absolutely nothing to help women and teens avoid unintended pregnancy?”

Of course, we must respond.

Ms. Feeney told us, “Sixty-four percent of American women who had abortions felt pressured by others.” This statement is patently false. A 2005 study of 1,209 abortion patients conducted by the Alan Guttmacher Institute of New York found fewer than 1 percent said their parent’s or partner’s desire for them to abort was the most important reason they chose to have an abortion.

Those who sincerely want to understand the factors considered by Maine women facing an unintended pregnancy would do well to listen to them.

Pregnant women who come to our facilities for abortion care universally wish they were not facing a situation in which they must decide what to do with an unexpected pregnancy. They want to do what would be “fair for the child.” For a mother, her children’s needs are foremost. Younger women consider whether they are mature enough to care for a child and worry whether they are equipped to offer stability.

Some may feel these are not compelling reasons to end a pregnancy. They are entitled to their opinion and, as Ms. Feeney has, to express it. However, Ms. Feeney, we’re sure to her regret, does not have the authority to make so consequential a decision for others.

Ms. Feeney argues that “Young girls are frequently taken across state lines by sexual predators to avoid detectionyet abortion proponents are not willing to support legislation that require(s) reporting of sexual abuse.”

First, we are mandated by state and federal law to report suspected child sexual abuse. We follow the law. The legislation Ms. Feeney accuses us of not supporting, the Teen Endangerment Act, is aimed at reducing access to abortion.

Period.

The bill would make it a federal crime for anyone other than a parent to transport a minor across state lines for an abortion, if the minor has not met the requirements of her home state’s parental involvement law. Supporters of the bill claim that it will promote family values. In fact, this bill will not increase parental involvement in the abortion decisions of young women.

Although most young women who are pregnant and seeking an abortion voluntarily involve a parent in their decision, those who do not often have valid fears that prevent them from communicating with their parents. One-third of teenagers who do not tell their parents about a pregnancy have already been the victims of family violence and fear it will re-occur. Healthy family communication simply cannot be legislated.

Ms. Feeney states women are “often coerced by their counselors [who are] blinded by a desired outcome or profit.” This, too, is false and professionally offensive. Our staff is well trained to identify a woman who is ambivalent about having an abortion and will facilitate referrals for pre-natal care, adoption or options counseling. Unlike Ms. Feeney, we trust women to make their own decisions.

Let’s stop wasting time trading dueling op-eds. If Ms. Feeney and the Maine Right to Life Committee want to reduce the incidence of abortion, then they must support efforts to increase access to birth control. To do anything less is sheer hypocrisy.

George A. Hill is President/CEO of the Family Planning Association of Maine.

Kate Gawler is the Association’s Director of Abortion Services.