American women who have abortions frequently face pressure from others.

Sadly, the recent news about a Maine couple who allegedly beat and kidnapped their 19-year-old daughter in order to force her to have an unwanted abortion is not unusual. We’re happy that this case ended well in that Katelyn Kampf was able to escape, get protection from her alleged abusers and ultimately maintained her choice to move forward with her pregnancy.

Although most coercion goes unreported, this incident offers an opportunity to address the hidden issue of coerced and unwanted abortions as well as the old myths surrounding the abortion discussion today.

Post-abortive studies conclude that 64 percent of American women who had abortions felt pressured by others. Their coercion included factors such as the threat of a job loss, loss of home and even violent assault. Eighty-three percent of post-abortive woman wanted to have the baby, but did not, because they didn’t receive support from their families, friends or other people in their lives. Eighty-four percent of women who sought counseling prior to their abortion reported they received inadequate or false counseling and were indeed often coerced by their counselors. Counselors blinded by a desired outcome or profit rather than the best outcome for their patients are themselves abusers. Surveys confirm that in 95 percent of the cases, men played a central role in the decision to abort.

Husbands, boyfriends and yes, many times even parents routinely threaten women while physically in clinics to ensure they have an abortion. Security guards, ostensibly hired to protect clinics from the dangers of pro-life protesters, can and have provided testimony that woman are routinely threatened and abused by their husbands, boyfriends or abusers who have taken them to the clinic to make sure they go through with the abortion.

Yet abortion proponents are not willing to confirm their patients have made their decision freely and without threat, they say, because the “radical” anti-abortion crowd will use this issue to stop all abortions. Is their position mainstream? Can both sides agree woman shouldn’t be subjected to abuse?

Young girls are frequently taken across state lines by sexual predators to avoid detection and eliminate evidence; yet again, abortion proponents are not willing to support legislation that would require reporting of sexual abuse. They claim it’s out of concern the “radical” anti-abortion movement will use it to stop abortions and invade their privacy. Is there any doubt in anyone’s mind that a pregnant 12-year-old is a victim of abuse? Can both sides agree that child sexual abuse should be reported?

Millions of woman are coming forward after decades of pain and suffering to speak out. When they sought counseling and information prior to their abortion they were lied to and told it’s a blob of cells, not a baby, feels no pain, and doesn’t have a heartbeat, a brain or nervous system. Once they learn the truth, some cannot forgive themselves and commit suicide. Others suffer through years of substance abuse and depression because they were denied the right to make an informed “choice.” Again, legislation to support informed choice has been consistently blocked.

Thirty-one percent of post-abortive women suffer from health complications, 65 percent suffer multiple symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide rates are six to seven times higher if woman aborts, rather than give birth. Women deserve our support when facing an unplanned pregnancy – they shouldn’t be forced to choose between their baby, college, a husband, a boyfriend, his parents, her parents, friends, a job or even the street.

Rita Feeney is president of the Maine Right to Life Committee, Auburn.