News Briefs

Kansas Abortionist Not Punished in Consent Case

A Kansas abortionist who was accused of performing an abortion after a sedated patient had withdrawn her consent will not be punished after reaching an agreement with state officials.

Kristin Neuhaus's agreement with the state health board requires her to comply with existing laws on sedating and monitoring patients, keep proper medical records, and inform patients about the probable gestational age of their unborn children. The board ruled that there was no evidence that Neuhaus acted out of malice or unconcern during the abortion, in which the woman apparently withdrew her consent after learning that a general instead of a local anesthetic would be used.  (Sources: Topeka Capital-Journal; June 17, 2001; Lawrence, KS, Journal; Aug. 19, 2001)

New Campaign Seeks to Protect Women from Forced Abortions

In an effort to combat forced abortions in the United States, the Population Research Institute has launched About FACE, a national campaign to protect American women from violations committed in private and state-funded abortion clinics and family planning centers throughout the U.S.

About FACE draws on a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta which exposes abortionists to being charged for violations of the federal FACE Act (see story below). The About FACE campaign will train pro-life sidewalk counselors on how to recognize and respond to violations of federal law outside clinics, educate attorneys on how to prosecute abortionists who violate FACE, and educate women on their rights and what to do if those rights are violated.

For more information, contact the Population Research Institute at (540) 622-5240 or pri@pop.org.

Florida Woman Sues Clinic Over Forced Abortion

A woman in Melbourne, Florida is suing an abortion clinic for a violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.

The woman says that she experienced severe abdominal pain while undergoing an abortion at the now-closed Aware Woman Center in March 1997, but that abortionist William Egherman had staffers hold her down when she demanded that he stop the abortion and call an ambulance for her. She was later transferred to a hospital and had to undergo emergency surgery. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruled that Egherman violated the FACE Act by preventing the woman from accessing services to treat her pain. At this point, criminal charges under FACE have not been filed.  (Source: Florida Today, June 13, 2001 and June 22, 2001)

Ms. Magazine Attacks Elliot Institute and Post-Abortion Groups

In an August article entitled "Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome?" Ms. Magazine attacked the Elliot Institute and other pro-life groups for reaching out to women struggling with a past abortion.

Calling post-abortion syndrome "a bogus affliction invented by the religious right, author Cynthia L. Cooper accused post-abortion groups of "exploiting" women and using them to attack abortion rights.. Although excerpts from Dr. David Reardon's writings were extensively quoted in the article, Cooper never contacted Dr. Reardon for his comments. Ironically, Cooper ended her article by describing efforts by abortion clinics and pro-choice groups to "help" women resolve negative feelings about their abortions which Cooper earlier insisted don't exist.

A copy of the article can be found at www.msmagazine.com.