Hey feminists! It's time to start mobilizing. It's just one week until our, "Don't Be Fooled by Fake Clinics" National Week of Action, taking place the week leading up to April Fool's Day (March 28th to April 1st). What is a fake clinic and why should we expose it, you ask? Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) are clinics that pose to be comprehensive women's health clinics. These "clinics" have an agenda to dissuade women from their options and restrict people from gaining access to contraceptives, abortions, and abortion referrals. This week of action leading up to April Fools Day is a way to raise awareness about deceptive clinics and promote action in your community. If your club/organization hasn't started organizing for next week, here are a few things to consider before planning events and actions:
Go to your campus health center, and see what health/women's clinics your school refers people to. Does your school promote CPCs?
If there are fake clinics on your school's referral list, pressure them to pull misleading ads or post disclaimers about what services a clinic provides (and does not provide).
Post educational flyers in your area to tell people what CPCs are (see our example here).
Organize a SPEAK OUT and have students share their stories and opinions about CPCs. Your voice is powerful!
Organize a photo campaign to and post your pictures on social media sites.
Get in contact with your local school newspaper to advertise your action plans and cover what your club is doing.
Circulate this petition to stop deceptive advertising and federal funding of fake women's health clinics.
Host a screening of 12th & Delaware and use our videos as a starting point for discussion.
These are a few tips to help you get started before "Don't Be Fooled by Fake Clinics" week. If you need more action ideas, check out this link. Be sure to let us know what your club is up to by sending pictures and your action plans to campusteam@feminist.org!
As part of a new national trend, states are attempting to expose the deception of Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) and New York has taken the lead and passed a historic city ordinance (Bill 371) that will regulate fake clinics in being truthful on what types of services they do and do not provide. This news is a bright spot during these current chaotic times where women's access to comprehensive reproductive health services are being put on the chopping block.
It is shocking that CPCs overwhelm and outnumber comprehensive women's health clinics with a 3,500 CPCs listed nationwide. The New York City council stated that, "The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges that comprehensive prenatal care begin as soon as a woman decides to become pregnant. Similar to prenatal care, delayed access to abortion and emergency contraception poses a threat to public health. Delay in accessing abortion or emergency contraception creates increased health risks and financial burdens, and may eliminate a womens ability to obtain these services altogether, severely limiting her reproductive health options". The bill regulates CPCs by requiring them to:
Disclose to a client that the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene encourages women to consult with a licensed medical provider.
Disclose if there is no licensed medical provider on staff.
Disclose if it does or does not provide referrals for abortion, emergency contraception, or prenatal care.
Post disclosures at the entrance and waiting room (in both English and Spanish).
Disclosures are required to be given over the phone.
As people all over the country fight for reproductive rights and access to comprehensive women's health clinics, there is a presence of deceptive "clinics" that offer limited resources to those in need. Access to family planning and basic medical care has become a dire task with the presence of fake clinics. Crisis Pregnancy Center's (CPCs) are clinics that pose to be clinics under names like "Pregnancy Aid", "Open Door", and "Pregnancy Counseling Center". CPCs target young, poor, and minority women who have limited resources to family planning and contraceptives. These clinics use misleading advertisements to delay, persuade, and intimidate women from receiving the health care they need. Many of these clinics are affiliated with anti-choice organizations and do not perform abortions or give referrals to clinics that do. What's even more ridiculous is the fact that many of these "clinics" do not have staff that are medically trained-lacking licensed doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners.
The Feminist Majority Foundation has been a part of a large movement to stop CPCs from providing false and misleading information. Our Choices Campus Leadership Program has organized and mobilized with students all over the country to expose fake clinics and promote truth in advertising. This is a victory and stride towards reproductive rights.
Most importantly, educate yourself on the issue and make sure that those around you know that the presence of these fake clinics pose serious risks and should not be relied on as primary healthcare. The best thing you can do as an activist is to be VOCAL on the issue and don't be afraid to get LOUD about it!
At the end of last week, two bills were introduced to Washington State Legislature. These bills (Limited Service Pregnancy Center Accountability Act(SB 5274/HB 1366) both aim at regulating Crisis Pregnancy Centers/ Limited Service Pregnancy Centers throughout Washington. This is such an important step because Washington would be the first to have a state-wide ordinance that places several necessary regulations on these deceptive centers. Other cities, such as Austin, TX and Baltimore, MD, have put similar bills into effect but if Washington too passes these bills then hopefully similar legislation will garner more support--because regulating CPC's is way overdue.
CPC's need to be regulated because they go under the guise of a comprehensive women's health center as well as advertising under abortion and family planning services. This deception generally is aimed toward targeting minority women with no health care and very limited options for dealing with an unexpected or undesired pregnancy.
The Washington State bills propose that CPC's disclose that they do not provide abortions, comprehensive birth control, or referrals to other organizations. They would have to list this information on their website, at their main entry, and inside the building of the CPC. Also, they would have to verbally mention this information to anybody seeking their services whether it be in person, through the phone, or via email. With this legislation, Crisis Pregnancy Centers would not be able to disclose any health care information to another person or organization without written approval from the person receiving CPC services. Since CPC's have been known for withholding pregnancy test results until it is too late for an abortion to be preformed, Washington's bill is proposing that CPC's provide the results--written and in both English and the recipient's primary language--as soon as they are available.
As far as a federal legislation, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) has proposed the "Stop Deceptive Advertising in Women's Service Act" (SDAWS) which would put similar restrictions and rules on clinics who advertise under services they do not provide. So far, SDAWS has faced several petition to stop the act from going any further and has 11 cosponsers in the House.
We are very excited about this proposed legislation and we'll keep you updated on it's progress!
Crisis Pregnancy Centers go to great lengths to making women think you are walking into an office where you can get medical advice from professionals, talk about all of your options when facing an unplanned pregnancy, perhaps even see a doctor. But that will not happen behind their doors.
Despite the fact that they appear to be very clinical. Despite the fact that they may be located near a comprehensive clinic, or in a medical complex, or that they may wear a lab coat.
That's why we started the Campaign to Expose Fake Clinics. That's why Austin, TX and Baltimore, MD have passed legislation requiring CPCs clearly post on their doors the services they do and do not provide. That's why NARAL NY has done extensive investigative work to provide a report in NYC that documents the deception and misinformation women are subject to in a fake clinic.
In October, New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Councilmember Jessica S. Lappin introduced a bill similar to those passed in Austin and Baltimore. In order to distinguish between comprehensive clinics, the bill defines CPCs as "limited-service centers" and would apply only to counseling centers that do not provide and/or refer for abortions or FDA-approved contraception. This disclosure would have to be provided on their door in English and Spanish. This bill is particularly strong because it goes even farther to require CPCs to include the same disclosure in their advertising.
If you're interested in helping to fight fake clinics on your campus or community, contact us at campusteam@feminist.org.
This post is part of the November 2010 ezine. To subscribe to the monthly ezine, click here.
Last Friday, the Feminist Majority Foundation Campus Interns went to the California Commission on the Status of Women's Public Hearing in Pasadena, California. It gave us a chance to voice our concerns to passionate women with political connections who will be able to make policy recommendations for administrative action on issues affecting women and girls in California. FMF concentrated their testimonies on urging the commission to oppose budget cuts to Family PACT and encourage California to adopt a Truth in Advertising Statute for Crisis Pregnancy Centers (or CPCs).
urging the commission to oppose Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed cuts on this family planning health program for uninsured residents. Family PACT gives uninsured Californians access to health care and birth control. It is funded by both the state and the federal government, and California only pays for ten percent of the entire program.
Furthermore, research shows that since Family PACT is able to prevent about 296,000 unintended pregnancies a year, it saves California more than $4 billion in medical and social service costs associated with unintended pregnancy each year. Therefore, for every dollar that the state invests in Family PACT, California saves $9.25. Thus, there is absolutely no reason to cut such a successful program that helps millions of California women, men, and adolescents every year.
Emily: A "Truth in Advertising Statute" would require CPCs to state that the facility does not provide services, information or referrals for abortion or comprehensive birth control. The cities of Baltimore, Maryland and Austin, Texas have enacted Truth in Advertising ordinances and we recommended that California become the first state to enact a Truth in Advertising Statute.
CPCs often target low-income women and college students, with the assumption that they are "high abortion risk," but they are actually high unintended pregnancy rates that could be lowered with access to comprehensive resources and education. CPCs are often advertised as "options counseling" or "abortion services" and are routinely listed on college health centers' referral lists. Congressional studies have shown that 87% of CPCs provide false or misleading information about abortion and birth control. The health of the women and girls who visit these clinics is at risk as many who enter the clinics are not aware that these are not medical facilities staffed by obgyns or nurse practitioners.
Angelica: I also spoke about getting California to become the first state to pass legislation that would require CPCs to post clear disclaimers that say they do not provide information, referrals, or services to do with birth-control or abortion. But I distinguished my argument by focusing on CPCs' target on areas they deem "high abortion risk", areas like my hometown.
When I searched for CPCs around my town, I found two within five blocks of each other on the same street, and two more within two miles. This was shocking to me. But then I realize that it made sense. I come from a conservative, mostly religious, low income town, with high unintended teen pregnancy rates; this is exactly what CPCs are looking for. CPCs can then become crucial centers for the community, sometimes being one of the few "resources" these women have.
By implementing legislation that calls for Truth in Advertising, these women become aware about the services that are not being provided to them, and can make educated decisions about their health.It is important for communities to have a voice in policy making and public hearings provide excellent opportunities to do so. We encourage you to actively follow and search for public hearings in your area. This was an excellent and inspiring event. We were all really empowered by our ability to make recommendations for California policy.
It is very important to establish "Truth in Advertising" policies on campus. The first questions are, does your health center refer students to CPCs and does your local CPC advertise on campus including in the newspaper? Propose that your Campus Health Center stop referring to CPCs. If they continue to do so,request placement of a disclaimer explaining that CPCs are limited-service facilities that do not offer services or referrals to abortions or birth control.
Do the same for advertisements on campus. If they advertise in the newspaper, talk to the editor get them to offer a disclaimer in the ads saying that CPCs do not offer services or referrals to abortion or birth control. Check out our "Establishing Truth in Advertising" Policies in our new CPC kit.
You should also talk to you Student Senate. Find a Pro-Choice member of the Student Government and ask to get a "Truth in Advertising" Resolution passed on campus! Check out the truth in advertising component in our CPC materials!
Last week, the University of Maryland: College Park SGA passed a bill against advertising in Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs). The bill went through several phases and is going to be used in a campaign to remove CPC advertisements from UMCP's campus.
CPCs have been a staple in the the campus newspaper's advertising. They have appeared both in the newspaper itself and, more frequently, online. An example of the online ad can be found here:
The first phase of the bill was the drafting of it. I initially submitted the Feminist Majority Foundation's version of the bill to the SGA, but it was rejected due to its ties to a specific campus community and for being too vague in general (A version of this bill can be found in the Expose Fake Clinics toolkit).
The second version of the bill used FMF's version as its foundation, but tied the CPC issue closer to the community and its needs. This is the bill that went to committee.
The final version of the bill that came out of committee was drastically different from the one that went in. First, it focused the bill primarily on the "false advertising" aspect of the CPCs and away from the pro-choice/anti-choice debate. The reason for doing this was so that the bill had a better chance of being passed and so that any anti-choice criticism could be dismissed. Second, the bill used softer language (recommending instead of demanding) and specifically targeted misleading CPC advertisements in our community. Third, since the committee didn't really see how the University President could advocate on the behalf of anti-CPC efforts, that section was removed.
The debate before the bill was voted on largely focused on the CPC's right to advertise in our community and the singling out of CPCs as pro-life organizations. The opposition argued that we were limiting the free speech of CPCs and that we unfairly targeted CPCs as non-clinic/non-referral sites. The affirmative responded by stating that we were not limiting free speech as the CPC's speech fell under a different category of speech that was separate from the individual one. We likened the bill to a "truth in advertising" effort and compared it to the warnings on a package of cigarettes. We responded to the non-clinic/non-referral claim by saying we were against non-clinic pro-choice places as well, but the fact that this was a non-issue made us decide on CPCs.
Anton was a FMF intern in Fall 2009 and is a junior at the University of Maryland - College Park.
Many campuses across the country have done an amazing job getting the word out about "fake clinics," or so called Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs). Raising awareness is key in ensuring that no person enters a CPC without knowing the services that they do and DO NOT provide. Recently, the city of Baltimore set a new precedent in tackling the deceptive practices of CPCs.
A couple of months ago, Baltimore, MD became the first city to pass a city ordinance that required CPCs in the city post disclaimers saying that their facility does not provide or make referrals for abortions or birth control services. This is a huge victory in the fight for choice and the quest for comprehensive women's health services. Many other cities are already introducing similar bills to their city council.
As a new component to our Campaign to Expose Fake Clinics, we want to encourage our campus groups to follow suit by working to get this type of legislation passed in your city. It may seem daunting, but if you follow these simple steps, you too can get a bill that demands "truth in advertising" from CPCs passed in your community.
1. Know the Facts
First, you need to know the facts about the CPCs near your campus and around your community. Where is the nearest Crisis Pregnancy Center from your campus? Does your Campus Health Center refer women seeking reproductive services to CPCs? If so, get them to stop, or in the very least, make them include a disclaimer in their referral. What deceptive practices do the CPCs in your area use? What do they say about abortion and birth control? Do your research!
2. Contact your Campus Organizer
Contact your campus organizer! We have many resources that will be helpful to you in this process, including the text of the Baltimore legislation, studies about CPCs, and studies disproving the misinformation CPCs say about the dangers of abortion. We can offer you guidance and connect you with the right resources.
3. Collaborate with other Pro-Choice Organizations, Gain Support Through your Community and Generate Publicity
Building coalitions with other pro-choice organizations will be extremely helpful. You should look into getting in contact with someone from Planned Parenthood or NARAL, in addition to us at the Feminist Majority Foundation. Also look into local pro-choice orgs in your area. Remember, there are power in numbers!
Get support for your bill by getting the word out to your campus and community. Print flyers, make announcements in classrooms, get newspapers and other news outlets to cover the story. Make sure people who are about this issue know what's going on. As a collective voice, rally in support of the bill
4. Identify a Pro-Choice Member of your City Council
Find someone of your City Council that you think would be interested in helping with this type of legislation. Arrange a meeting with them.
5. Present the Facts & Make your Case
Meet with your City Council Member or a member of their staff. Present the facts and signatures from our petition that you have gathered. Let them know the risks that CPCs pose, their threat to your campus, and their deceptive practices. Show them a copy of the Baltimore ordinance and ask your city council representative to sponsor similar legislation. Use this language from the Baltimore ordinance as a guide to create a law requiring a limited-service pregnancy center (or CPC) to clearly provide its clients and potential clients with a statement that their center does not provide or make referral to abortion or birth control services
6. Attend Hearings and Show Support until the Ordinance Passes
Monitor the progress of your proposal. Follow up, and attend any hearings regarding possible legislation. Continue to show your support and commitment to “truth in advertising” until an ordinance is passed. Mobilize your campus and community supporters to do the same.
It's as easy as that! Be sure the check out our resources pages for all the info you'll need to get you started on this. And be sure to check out our CPC action kit for a handout outlining the points I've just elaborated on.
Join the National grassroots effort to pass laws that would require "truth in advertising" for your city's CPCs!!!
This article was featured in our January 2010 monthly Choices eZine. Sign up for our alerts to stay up-to-date with the latest feminist news and to receive the monthly eZine.
The Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) started the Choices Campus Leadership Program to inform young feminists about the very real threats to abortion access, women’s rights, affirmative action, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights posed by right-wing extremists.
We work with students on college campuses to effect change at the grassroots, national, and global levels. The Campus Program is built upon FMF’s philosophy that the most effective activism is informed activism--through study and action. Our program provides students with opportunities to learn about timely feminist issues, develop their leadership and organizing skills, and connect with the larger pro-choice and feminist movements.
The Feminist Campus blog is written by staff members, interns, and student affiliates of the Feminist Majority Foundation's campus program. The individual views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Feminist Majority Foundation.
Hey feminists! It's time to start mobilizing. It's just one week until our, "Don't Be Fooled by Fake Clinics" National Week of Action, taking place the week leading up to April Fool's Day (March 28th to April 1st). What is a fake clinic and why should we expose it, you ask? Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) are clinics that pose to be comprehensive women's health clinics. These "clinics" have an agenda to dissuade women from their options and restrict people from gaining access to contraceptives, abortions, and abortion referrals. This week of action leading up to April Fools Day is a way to raise awareness about deceptive clinics and promote action in your community. If your club/organization hasn't started organizing for next week, here are a few things to consider before planning events and actions:
urging the commission to oppose 
