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09 / 03 / 2012 - Director of Precious Life, Bernadette Smyth speaks at major pro-life Conference in Westminster
Bernadette Smyth with Prof. Priscilla Coleman in the House of Commons
Director of Precious Life, Bernadette Smyth spoke at a major Conference held in the House of Commons on Tuesday 6th March.
The conference entitled - “A Colloquium on the Psychological Effects of Abortion” was organised by the ProLife Alliance, and hosted by Northern Ireland MP, Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson, and Peterborough MP, Mr Stewart Jackson
Precious Life contacted all the Northern Ireland MPs and invited them to this important event. At a time when pro-abortion forces are pushing to have abortion legalised here so it was vital that our local MPs heard this important research about the devastating psychological damage caused to women by abortion. We were delighted with the response from the majority of Northern Ireland MPs who gave their support. Many others MPs from the rest of the UK also took time out of their busy schedules to register their support.
There was an excellent attendance at the conference with an audience comprised of MPs, medical academics and practitioners, together with many pro-life/pro-family groups.
Bernadette Smyth told the audience that Northern Ireland benefits from low incidence of breast cancer; and comparatively good mental health among women; and a low incidence of other diseases, to which low abortion rates have contributed. These facts were backed up by the recent report - Ireland’s Gain - which was launched by Mr Patrick Carroll at Stormont in December.
Dr. Priscilla Coleman, Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Bowling Green State University, was keynote speaker at the event. She was joined on the panel by Dr Patricia Casey, Professor of Psychiatry at University College Dublin. The event was chaired by Dr Peter Saunders, CEO of the Christian Medical Fellowship,
Professor Coleman’s research is focused on the psychological outcomes among women who have experienced abortion. She has published numerous articles in psychology and medical journals and has presented her research to national and international audiences.
She told the Conference that an estimate from the best scientific studies indicate some 20-30% of women who undergo abortion will experience significant negative consequences.
Professor Coleman explained the truth that the consequences of denial of the psychological impact of abortion leads to misinformed professionals and leaves millions of women worldwide struggling alone to cope with the aftermath of past abortions.
Countess Josephine Quintavalle of the ProLife Alliance said, “Abortion has featured in the a number of news stories recently. This is absolutely the right time for us to speak up with the strength of academic research and truth on our side. Women deserve better than abortion and their psychological well-being must be guarded. This is the message which must be heard.”
Bernadette Smyth concluded “It is significant that this latest research was publicised just before International Womens Day. The evidence presented here today - together with numerous other studies worldwide - shows that destroying unborn children also destroys women. Ireland is an example to the rest of the world - a country that protects unborn children also protects its women.”
Research coordinated by Prof Coleman and others can be obtained on the WeCare website.
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The conference entitled - “A Colloquium on the Psychological Effects of Abortion” was organised by the ProLife Alliance, and hosted by Northern Ireland MP, Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson, and Peterborough MP, Mr Stewart Jackson
Precious Life contacted all the Northern Ireland MPs and invited them to this important event. At a time when pro-abortion forces are pushing to have abortion legalised here so it was vital that our local MPs heard this important research about the devastating psychological damage caused to women by abortion. We were delighted with the response from the majority of Northern Ireland MPs who gave their support. Many others MPs from the rest of the UK also took time out of their busy schedules to register their support.
There was an excellent attendance at the conference with an audience comprised of MPs, medical academics and practitioners, together with many pro-life/pro-family groups.
Bernadette Smyth told the audience that Northern Ireland benefits from low incidence of breast cancer; and comparatively good mental health among women; and a low incidence of other diseases, to which low abortion rates have contributed. These facts were backed up by the recent report - Ireland’s Gain - which was launched by Mr Patrick Carroll at Stormont in December.
Dr. Priscilla Coleman, Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Bowling Green State University, was keynote speaker at the event. She was joined on the panel by Dr Patricia Casey, Professor of Psychiatry at University College Dublin. The event was chaired by Dr Peter Saunders, CEO of the Christian Medical Fellowship,
Professor Coleman’s research is focused on the psychological outcomes among women who have experienced abortion. She has published numerous articles in psychology and medical journals and has presented her research to national and international audiences.
She told the Conference that an estimate from the best scientific studies indicate some 20-30% of women who undergo abortion will experience significant negative consequences.
Professor Coleman explained the truth that the consequences of denial of the psychological impact of abortion leads to misinformed professionals and leaves millions of women worldwide struggling alone to cope with the aftermath of past abortions.
Countess Josephine Quintavalle of the ProLife Alliance said, “Abortion has featured in the a number of news stories recently. This is absolutely the right time for us to speak up with the strength of academic research and truth on our side. Women deserve better than abortion and their psychological well-being must be guarded. This is the message which must be heard.”
Bernadette Smyth concluded “It is significant that this latest research was publicised just before International Womens Day. The evidence presented here today - together with numerous other studies worldwide - shows that destroying unborn children also destroys women. Ireland is an example to the rest of the world - a country that protects unborn children also protects its women.”
Research coordinated by Prof Coleman and others can be obtained on the WeCare website.