I'm Pro-Life, but...

If life begins at conception, it would follow that this newly created unique human being should be treated with all the rights and liberties associated with being human.

This pre-born child is itself complete - whole - at the very earliest stages of development. The subsequent changes from embryo to fetus, from fetus to child, child to adolescent and on are simply changes in degree.

Life begins at conception - the very moment that sperm and egg meet. This entire foundation stems from well documented science and is supported by well-respected embryologists.

There are some who seemingly understand this concept but still maintain that abortion should be legal in the cases of rape and incest. You may have heard them. They say, “I am pro-life, but…..”

How is the very nature of a child conceived in rape different from that of any other child? Isn’t the whole sanctity of life about the very fact that a child was conceived – not how it was conceived?

No matter how a child is conceived, each child is a unique, whole and living creature created in God’s image – not a product of rape.

Let me be clear. No one, I repeat no one, would ever want to minimize the heinous crime of rape or incest. The victim should be cared for and the perpetrator brought to justice. The child, however, has committed no wrong.

Can people honestly believe that abortion could be the ‘quick-fix’ for rape? Sadly, there is no easy solution.

There is substantial evidence, however, that abortion in the case of rape or incest is not the answer.

Abortion may cover up the pregnancy but does nothing to erase the original problem – the crime of rape/incest. Abortion in these cases only creates additional problems – making the mother a victim for the second time.

Abortion following rape or incest does not bring healing to the rape or incest victim – and it does nothing to the person who committed the crime.

In Victims and Victors, women share their stories, revealing the seldom heard truth: most women who become pregnant through rape or incest do not want to abort!

In the book, Rebecca, who became pregnant through rape at 15, remarks, "They say abortion is the easy way out, the best thing for everyone, but they are wrong. It has been over 15 years, and I still suffer."

The largest survey ever compiled, Victims and Victors reveals that:

• Nearly 80 percent of the women who aborted a pregnancy conceived in sexual assault reported that abortion had been the wrong solution.
• Most women reported that abortion only increased the trauma of the original assault.
• Often, the victim faced strong pressure or demands to abort.
• In cases of incest or ongoing sexual abuse, abortion was frequently used by the perpetrator to cover up the abuse.
• None of the women who gave birth to the child expressed regret or wished they had aborted instead.

Choices for Life, CHOICES4LIFE, is dedicated to educating the public about the real feelings of women who are pregnant through rape. Established in 2011, Choices works to promote and restore honor and dignity to women and children of rape conception by providing financial and emotional support, among other things.

It is our hope that women who face these life and death decisions will find the support they deserve in their time of need.

Some so-called pro-life people say they reject abortion but support the rape or incest exception. This is clearly a pro-choice view of another color - and the compromising incrementalism that has cost the lives of 55 million nationwide since 1973.

“When all aren’t protected – then none are protected”, says Rebecca Kiessling. A mother of five, and attorney, she is also leader of “Save the 1”, a pro-life group dedicated to fighting for babies conceived in rape.

Kiessling herself was conceived in rape. Her mother attempted to have her aborted at two back alley abortionists, in Michigan, her home state.

“I was legally protected in Michigan,” she says. “I owe my life to the law that was there to protect me.”

Indeed.  Preborn children are worthy of protection, regardless of the circumstances of their conception.