SPUC CEO John Smeaton, Prof Coleman, Sir Edward Leigh MP. Image: NiceSmile Ltd
Sir Edward Leigh, Conservative MP for Gainsborough, has called on colleagues to look at the evidence pointing to the harm that abortion can do to women.
Sir Edward Leigh made the comments ahead of an event he is sponsoring in Parliament this afternoon for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). Professor Priscilla Coleman, an academic psychologist of Human Development at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, will speak on "Is Abortion a Mental Health Risk?"
Prof Coleman, who has written articles for a number of peer-reviewed journals, including the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Journal of Medical Ethics, and European Journal of Public Health, will share her extensive research on the psychological effects of abortion with MPs from all the major parties.
"After fifty years of legalised abortion, it’s vital that both sides of the debate examine the impact it has had on women," Sir Edward Leigh said. "In SPUC’s recent publication, Abortion and Women’s Health, I was disappointed to discover that one study found ‘some women terminate wanted pregnancies because of financial, relationship, or other problems.’ Surely we can do better than that for women today."
"Women deserve to know some of the shocking findings in this report, and I want this information to reach those who can make a difference. I urge all my colleagues, especially the Health Secretary, to look at the substantive evidence pointing to the physical and mental harm to women that can happen as a result of abortion."
Sir Edward Leigh added: "I would like to thank SPUC for their tireless efforts over the past fifty years and for organising this event today. I am proud to sponsor this event for SPUC and I welcome Professor Priscilla Coleman, an academic psychologist looking into human development at Bowling Green State University in Ohio."
Antonia Tully, Campaign Director for the SPUC, said: "We must break this conspiracy of silence around the damaging impact of abortion on the mental and physical health of women. We welcome Sir Edward Leigh's support in bringing the attention of MPs to the compelling evidence on the ravaging effect of abortion on women. The Department of Health must be made to recognise that the abortion industry in this country is wreaking havoc with women's health".
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