Public health unit in Southwestern Ontario refers pregnant women to clinic with anti-abortion ties | 24CA News
The public well being unit in Chatham-Kent, Ont., has been referring ladies, together with these with unplanned pregnancies, to a non-public group with connections to anti-abortion views, 24CA News has realized.
CK Public Health has been itemizing Refuge as a group useful resource on its web site for pregnant ladies in disaster or these searching for help. That reference was eliminated final week when 24CA News started inquiring in regards to the relationship.
But previous to the COVID-19 pandemic, the well being unit additionally stationed nurses inside Refuge the place they met ladies for breastfeeding help clinics.
Candace Johnson, a professor of political science on the University of Guelph, says folks must be alarmed by this. She referred to as it “outrageous.”
Johnson researches points associated to abortion, reproductive rights and justice. She stated it is unacceptable and problematic for a public well being unit to refer ladies, in any means, to a company identified to have anti-abortion connections.
“The problem is that it seems like there’s some degree of deception. It seems to be a referral to an agency that is going to provide some sort of unbiased information when that’s not the case,” she stated. She additionally doubts whether or not a company corresponding to Refuge can be completely impartial.
Nurse speaks out
Carolyn Martin, a nurse at CK Public Health for the final 20 years, feels the identical. That’s why she’s talking out.
Martin has labored principally with teenagers over her 20 years with CK Public Health, and gives help to new and expectant moms. She stated she worries most about weak teenagers referred to Refuge who could have an unplanned being pregnant and are available from a low-income household or a marginalized group, and will not have grownup help at house.
“What’s saddest about it is the kid who just doesn’t have an adult to say ‘here’s all your real options,'” stated Martin.
Martin stated she additionally questions why the well being unit directed ladies to Refuge for breastfeeding help when CK Public Health had house at its constructing close by.
“It just made me mad,” she stated.
Public well being nurse Carolyn Martin speaks out towards well being unit’s relationship with Refuge, which has connections to anti-abortion views.
CK Public Health had a four-page doc on-line that contained group sources for girls. It listed Refuge as a useful resource for younger mothers, these experiencing a disaster or sudden being pregnant, and ladies in want.
However, someday after 24CA News started asking questions in regards to the relationship, CK Public Health eliminated that doc from its web site.
In latest years, a billboard referencing Refuge popped up in Chatham-Kent equating abortion to homicide with the picture of a new child child clearly displayed. The similar billboard nonetheless stands close to Dresden, however it now comprises a web site referencing Life in Motion.
“CK Public Health does not endorse all messaging put out by Refuge Chatham-Kent, nor do we have a shared mission or vision,” stated Caress Lee Carpenter, public relations officer, in an emailed assertion.
CK Public Health hasn’t responded to subsequent emails from 24CA News.
‘We’re not doing a bait-and-switch right here’
The director of consumer care at Refuge, BJ Kivell, stated she personally takes a “pro-life” stance, however provides that does not stop her from telling pregnant ladies about all their choices in an unbiased means.
“I don’t share a bias with them. I just specifically talk to them about what we offer, about what their options are, how we can support them going forward. That’s it,” stated Kivell. “I feel like I just state the information in a caring way. They are not pressured to do anything.”
“We’re not doing a bait-and-switch here.”
On its web site, Refuge stated it provides free being pregnant helps for girls and households.
Nurse recordsdata criticism
Martin filed an inside company criticism 4 years in the past about CK Public Health’s relationship with Refuge, and it placing nurses contained in the non-public group.
She stated her declare was dismissed and the association continued till the start of the pandemic. when nurses have been reassigned to assist with COVID-19.
“The affiliation was so entrenched that you just feel like you’re going up against this behemoth,” stated Martin. “I’ve been advocating with other nurses for four years and it’s almost like it made no difference.”
Last month, Martin says she filed a criticism with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). A CNO spokesperson could not affirm whether or not any particular criticism was acquired or the standing of any potential investigation.
The CNO has established a code of conduct in addition to follow requirements and pointers, however neither specify the place nurses could refer sufferers for care.
Under these guidelines, “nurses are expected to respect patients’ beliefs, values and goals, collaborate with patients, and ensure they do not impose their personal beliefs and biases on patients,” stated CNO spokesperson Kristi Green.
Refuge’s anti-abortion connection
Refuge is related to 2 different entities with anti-abortion sentiments.
A gaggle often called Right to Life Kent first created Refuge. Kivell stated Refuge depends completely on group donations, which additionally come from space church buildings.
“Our organization Right to Life, we’re ‘pro-life,'” Kivell stated. “When people come here to Refuge for support and help, we’re not taking a stance [on] anything. We’re just giving them the information and they’re able to make an informed decision.”
Another group often called Life in Motion references Right to Life Kent in its electronic mail deal with and stated donations will be made to that group, which finally helps the Refuge being pregnant centre.
At the identical time, Life in Motion’s web site says it stands for “defending pro-life” and even claims “there is no protection for the unborn.”
Advocating for change has been arduous, says nurse
Speaking up hasn’t been simple, Martin stated. She’s felt bullied and harassed.
Her position as a public well being nurse is targeted on serving to teenagers and younger mothers, however Martin claims she was compelled to do coaching about security associated to hen dropping elimination, utilizing a jackhammer and digging trenches.
“Every demeaning [thing] that they could make me do, they tried to do,” she stated.
Martin is a single mom and stated her job is essential to her household’s stability. But she stated she’ll by no means cease advocating for younger, weak folks in Chatham-Kent.
“Who’s going to stand up for the kids who are going to Refuge unknowingly?”
