Pregnant women exposed to ‘lengthy bullying sessions’
In some cases, the agencies have offered illegal, private adoptions if the women agree to carry their babies to full term.
Instead of getting advice and help, women are being forced to watch disturbing late-stage abortion videos by themselves. They are also warned that they will be more likely to commit suicide or get breast cancer if they have an abortion.
Director of the Well Woman Centre Alison Begas said the rogue agencies that were both manipulative and abusive were acting with impunity.
“Women are subjected to emotive and lengthy bullying sessions. They are isolated from their partners and friends and shown disturbing videos,” she said. “We have spoken to women asked to hold plastic babies and name their ‘child’.”
In some cases, the women have been prayed over by counsellors who do so to ensure they make the ‘right’ decision.
The rogue agencies have been reported to both the gardaí and Health Service Executive but both say they are powerless to act unless they receive a formal complaint from a victimised woman. It is not known how many bogus agencies are active but they are believed to operate in places such as Dublin, Limerick, Cork and in Co Donegal.
The Crisis Pregnancy Agency (CPA) has sought legal advice on the matter and has warned the Golden Pages about rogue agencies placing advertisements in their directory.
