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Anti-abortion protestors outside a Brisbane clinic have begun offering women cash payments to stop them having an abortion, according to a leading pro-choice organisation.

Cait Calcutt, Coordinator of Children by Choice, says the new tactic is a cynical exercise to influence people at a difficult time with a totally inappropriate cash bribe.

“This is a new and disturbing development by the anti-abortion movement to stop women from undergoing terminations”, Ms Calcutt said.

A pregnant woman and her husband (who wish to remain anonymous) were approached by anti-choice activists recently outside the Marie Stopes International clinic in the Brisbane suburb of Salisbury and offered $1,000 cash not to proceed with a termination.

The couple, who had received extensive counselling prior to deciding on an abortion, then debated the cash offer at length and eventually decided to take it.

Ms Calcutt said the introduction of a cash payment to influence a decision on whether or not to proceed with a termination was extremely insensitive, and takes advantage of couples in difficult financial circumstances.

“Financial security can be part of a broad range of reasons why women and their families may decide to terminate an unplanned pregnancy. However many economically disadvantaged women who are seeking termination may be desperate enough to accept the monies offered,” Ms Calcutt said.

“Unintended pregnancy is a reality of women's lives because no contraceptive method is 100% effective. In the past we have seen anti-choice protestors hand out leaflets containing false and misleading information. However, this is the first time we know of that money has ever been offered and accepted,” Ms Calcutt said.

Children by Choice are also concerned that women are being promised further offers of money that will not be honoured after they decide to continue the pregnancy.
Children by Choice provide independent counselling, information and referral services on unintended pregnancy options to Queensland women and their families. They offer referrals for abortion, adoption and parenting.

General Manager of Marie Stopes International, Ms Suzanne Dvorak, said that its six clinics around Australia have increased security measures to help clients avoid protestors.

“Not only is it inappropriate for clients to be approached outside clinics but it is also a massive invasion of privacy. Women arriving at clinics for a termination have already gone through a long and difficult process in coming to their decision. They do not need to be questioned further and harassed by protestors.

“Women making the decision to terminate a pregnancy don’t take it lightly. They are provided with all the information required to make an informed decision and are offered further counselling, as appropriate. Even for women in the most dire of circumstances, $1000 does not provide long lasting peace of mind,” Ms Dvorak said.

Marie Stopes International is a leading international provider of sexual and reproductive health services, with clinics in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia.