Abortion stigma brings real harm: researcher
CBC News
Posted: Nov 10, 2011 7:53 AM AT
Last Updated: Nov 10, 2011 3:21 PM AT
A UPEI professor researching P.E.I. women and their experiences accessing abortions has found many women become desperate because of the stigma surrounding abortion on the Island.
'[A] fourteen-year-old who found herself pregnant … engaged in two weeks of intense self-harm.' —Colleen MacQuarrie
P.E.I. is the only province where abortions aren't performed. Anyone wanting the procedure must travel to Fredericton or Halifax.
Psychology professor Colleen MacQuarrie is conducting a series of interviews with Island women who've had an abortion, or have wanted one in the past. She's also talking to their close family members and friends.
"So for example, the story of the fourteen-year-old who found herself pregnant and was desperate to not even tell anyone she was pregnant and so engaged in two weeks of intense self-harm, ingesting different chemicals, just doing anything she could to bring on a period," said MacQuarrie.
"She couldn't go to the gym because her body was so horribly bruised."
MacQuarrie says stories like this show what women will do when abortion services aren't available. She has spoken with more than 30 people so far, and plans on speaking to about 100 more.
Share Tools
Latest Prince Edward Island News Headlines
- NDP votes against electing leader at convention
- The P.E.I. New Democratic Party was supposed to elect a new leader on the weekend, but that didn't happen. more »
- Dry weather threatens some P.E.I. crops
- Clouds of dust are a common site on P.E.I. farms this year as weeks of unusually dry conditions are threatening this year's crops. more »
- New food guidelines for early child care centres
- In March, the P.E.I. Healthy Eating Alliance paid a visit to 10 centres to review menus and offer suggestions on how to improve the nutritional quality of the foods served to the children. more »
- Frosty forecast worries P.E.I. strawberry farmers
- P.E.I. strawberry growers are keeping a close eye on the weather, wondering if a frost warning for Monday night will hurt this year's crop. more »
Top News Headlines
- B.C. police shooting video sparks calls for new probe
- Amateur video of the shooting of a mentally ill Vancouver man five years ago has prompted calls for B.C.'s police complaint commissioner and Crown prosecutors to take another look at the case. more »
- 'Engine shutdown' forced Air Canada jet to land
- A Japan-bound Air Canada Boeing 777 made an emergency landing at Toronto's Pearson airport on Monday, after one of its engines failed. more »
- CP Rail union, Tories battle over collective bargaining
- The federal Conservatives are defending their plan to force striking Canadian Pacific Railway employees back to work as a way to keep the economy on track, while the union representing 4,800 workers says their collective bargaining rights are under attack. more »
- Quebec student talks resume amid continuing protests
- A new round of negotiations between students and Quebec's Liberal government over the province's tuition-fee crisis extended into the night, while thousands took to the street in protest, leading to dozens of arrests. more »
- NDP votes against electing leader at convention
- Province appointing English school board trustees
- P.E.I. players on cup-winning junior hockey team
- Old church needs more money for facelift
- Frosty forecast worries P.E.I. strawberry farmers
- Dry weather threatens some P.E.I. crops
- Liquor store discussion heats up legislature
