Press conference, 3 July 1992
Abortion patient survey study
Victoria Tepe, Ph.D. (vtepe@attbi.com)


                             STATEMENT

This press conference is to announce the findings of a local study based on a
survey of 142 abortion patients and 51 of their partners.  The study was
performed here, at Dayton Women's Services, where I am a volunteer.  Dayton
Women's Services is a privately-owned facility that provides abortions up to
16 weeks; the survey was conducted on a voluntary and anonymous basis from
January 3, 1992 to May 3, 1992.

The purpose of the study was two-fold.  First, the study was intended to
provide an accurate portrayal of women who seek abortion care in Dayton.
Second, the study provided these women an opportunity to express their views
on the current political debate surrounding abortion.

The study found three things:

(1)  The majority (68%) of abortion patients were already parents to an
average of two children; 87% of abortion patients were unmarried.  Existing
parental responsibilities in the face of financial hardship played a key role
in the decision to resolve an unwanted pregnancy by abortion.

(2)  Abortion patients were offended and angered by what they had to confront
after making this difficult decision.  Over half of the patients surveyed
encountered anti-abortion protestors outside the clinic, and more than 80% of
these patients felt that the protestors' actions constituted an invasion of
privacy.

(3)  Abortion patients and their partners are a motivated voting bloc.  More
than 2/3 were registered voters, and over 80% of these individuals said
they will vote this election year for candidates who defend abortion rights.

When anti-abortion philosophers suggest that women seeking abortion are
irresponsible, childless, selfish people who are merely inconvenienced by
pregnancy, they are simply wrong.  More interesting is that they seem to be
advocating that irresponsible, selfish people should become parents.  Bearing
and raising a child involves a deep, lasting commitment.  Women know
that.  Abortion patients know that; most of them are already parents,
struggling alone to support their children.

The findings of this study -- and others like it around the country -- dispel
the notion that abortions happen because abortion care is safe, legal, and
available.  Rather, abortions happen because women need this option to protect
themselves and their families.  As a society, we must consider the
implications of any law that tells an individual she ought not consider her
personal and family responsibilities.  Such laws are not only hypocritical,
but also counterproductive and potentially very dangerous.