Maloof Questions Arizona's Abortion Records

NEWS & ANALYSIS

Pro-Lifers Gather to Show Respect for Life on Roe v. Wade's 34th Anniversary

By Dennis Durband, Editor
Jan. 22, 2007

PHOENIX -- Abortion records are hard to pin down. It has been estimated that over the past 20 years some 11,000 abortions take place in Arizona each year. However, Joan Maloof, Arizona coordinator of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign said today at a state Senate lawn pro-life rally that the number may be double that.

Maloof said that an abortion clinic in Tempe, currently closed for remodeling, said it does about 450 abortions a month -- mostly for students of Arizona State University. Based on her calculations, Maloof said there may be as many as 21,000 abortions annually in the state.

ASU has been open to Silent No More appearances, and Maloof said the students listen to the post-abortive women's stories and ask a lot of questions.

"On the campuses, abortion is completely acceptable," Maloof said. "The girls say, 'no one is telling me not to get an abortion, not my family or my church.' Education before the choice should be our goal. We've had great success by focusing on the reality of abortion. Our message is positive: we want you to make better decisions than we did."

At ASU's Manzanita Hall dormitory -- also known as "STD Dorm" -- students listened to Silent No More women intently and asked a lot of questions. Silent No More aims to continue educating young people that abortion hurts men and women.

Maloof said she finds the 450 abortions per month number "outrageous" and she also challenged evangelical churches to talk more about abortion.

I Regret My Abortion

"Vicky" told Monday's pro-life gathering that she regrets her abortions.

"In 1973, I was 20, in college and faced with an unwanted pregnancy. My boyfriend immediately wanted me to get an abortion. I saw it was a quick fix with no complications. At the clinic, no options were discussed. I was told it would be painless. When it was over, I felt the deepest, darkest silence."

Abortion increases the likelihood of cancer. At age 39, she was diagnosed with that very disease. She underwent chemotherapy and later had two miscarriages.

"Women all over America are saying what I'm saying: if only I had known," Vicky said. "If you are talking about women's rights, you will work to end abortion."

Legislation

Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, told the luncheon audience today that a bill has been introduced that would require accurate record keeping on abortion.