David C. Reardon, Ph.D., host of EWTN's series "Making Abortion Rare" and an internationally known expert on abortion complications, has a comprehensive plan for ending abortion. The key is recognizing that abortion hurts women, making abortion providers properly liable for the injuries caused by unwanted, unsafe, and unnecessary abortions, and creating a healing environment for the women and men hurt by their past abortions so their witness and stories can lead us to a society where abortion is not just illegal, but unthinkable.
David C. Reardon, Ph.D., director of the Elliot Institute, is widely recognized as one of the leading experts on the aftereffects of abortion on women, a field in which he has specialized since 1983. He is the author of numerous books and popular and scholarly articles on this topic.
His studies have been published in such prestigious medical journals as the British Medical Journal and the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and have proven that abortion compared to childbirth is associated with higher rates of maternal death, psychiatric hospitalization,subsequent substance abuse, clinical depression, and numerous other complications.
Articles about Dr. Reardon and his work have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers, including Newsweek and the New York Times. He is a frequ ent guest on Christian radio and Christian television talk shows and has been a key note speaker at many state and national conventions for crisis pregnancy centers and pro-life organizations.
The emphasis of his work has been on promoting a “pro-woman / pro-life” approach to the abortion issue which emphasizes efforts to prevent coerced and unsafe abortions and efforts to create a more healing environment for women, men and families hurting because of a past abortion.
These efforts have led to the development of model legislation called Prevention from Coerced and Unsafe Abortion Actwhich is being promoted by the Stop Forced Abortions Alliance. This legislation would make it easier for women to hold abortionists liable for psychological injuries associated with abortion, especially when they fail to screen for coercion and other known risk factors that are strongly associated with increased risk of negative abor tion reactions. Versions of this legislation have recently been passed in Nebraska and South Dakota.
Dr. Reardon was propelled to center stage of the pro-life movement after the publication of his first book Aborted Women, Silent No Mo re, in 1987. It has become the best-selling book on abortion’s impact on women and has been called “the most powerful book ever written on abortion.”
Another of his books, Forbidden Grief: The Unspoken P ain of Abortion, co-authored with Dr. Theresa Burke, is the most comprehensive review of the impact of abortion on women available. It is a compelling revelation of the secrets post-abortive women tell only their therapists but everyone should know.
Dr. Reardon is also the author of Making Abortion Rare: A Healing Strategy for a Divided Nation(Acorn Books, 1996). Pro-life leaders have recommended it as compulsory reading for every pro-lifer who wants to know how abortion can be stopped in a way that is “practical and realistic, but free of moral compromise.” Dr. Reardon’s three-pronged strategy for ending abortion has already been adopted by many pro-life organizations at the local, state, and national levels. It appears certain that the popularity of this new compassionate approach to the abortion conflict will continue to grow and become a permanent part of pro-life activities.
As part of this strategy to end abortion, Dr. Reardon has also authored The Jericho Plan: Breaking Down the Walls That Prevent Post-Abortion Healing. This is a resource book for post-abortion healing. It also serves as a sermon guide that helps ministers and clergy to address the abortion issue in a manner that reduces hostilities and promotes post-abortion healing. Most importantly, The Jericho Plan is helping pastors to overcome the fear of preaching on abortion. It is helping many pastors to break their silence and boldly preach a compassionate message that is truly both pro-life and pro-healing.
In his most popular presentation for audiences, titled "Ending Abortion With Compassion," Dr. Reardon discloses:
•why women really have abortions,
•a review of research describing the emotional complications that follow abortion
•the obstacles in the way of post-abortion healing
•how we can all help to promote the conversion and healing of those who have been involved in abortions, and
•how we can pursue reforms which will dramatically reduce abortion rates by protecting women from unwanted, unsafe, and unnecessary abortions.
This is an opportunity for your audience to hear an internationally recognized leader in the post-abortion movement.
