PRESS RELEASE
Free Contraception a Bad Idea
There have been calls from Rotorua youth doctor, Tania Pinfold for free and easily accessible contraception in order to
reduce unintended pregnancies. ALRANZ supports this idea, along with more education programmes. In this way, it is
believed the abortion rate, in particular among youth, would decline.
"While Family Life International NZ is fully for an end to all abortions, we do not believe the way to reduce the number
of unintended pregnancies is through free contraception and increased sex education" said Mrs Colleen Bayer, National
Director.
In 2010 just under half of all abortions were carried out on women and girls who had been using some form of
contraception. ALRANZ and other abortion supporters know this and so they are working hard to promote long-acting
contraception among women and youth, using such devices as "Jadelle", a second generation implant banned in countries
like the United States.
"But those who are promoting free and accesible contraception are not really being pro-woman. If they were they would
realise the use of such contraceptive devices as Jadelle, Depo Provera and the IUD, only serves to promote riskier
sexual behaviour in the targetted under 25 year old group, and increases the chances of them contracting sexually
transmitted infections." Colleen said. "There is also the issue of hormones floating around a women's body for such an
extended period of time and the side effects that will have on them."
Combining free contraception with more sex education in this under 25 year old group will only serve to increase sexual
behaviour. Many a study has shown that graphic sex education with the underlying belief that teenagers will engage in
sexual intercourse anyway, increases the likelihood of both male and female students engaging in earlier sexual
behaviour.
Family Life International NZ provides a service to those who find themselves experiencing an unintended pregnancy.
Through our Family Life Crisis Pregnancy Centre we offer women and girls factual information regarding their pregnancy.
We discuss the options of parenting, adoption and abortion thoroughly and accurately. "We find that most abortion-minded
women who come to us are really seeking solutions for the situations they find themselves in, not an end to the
pregnancy per se." said Colleen.
"We encourage women to have self-respect and to take charge of their lives, to make something of themselves. And we
offer them the support they need to do that. This I believe is the real long-term answer to lowering the abortion rate.
Not pumping females with chemicals and treating their fertility as a disease." concluded Colleen Bayer.
ENDS