Opponents of abortion rights launch initiatives to increase number of crisis pregnancy centers in Black, Latino inner cities

Heartbeat International and Care Net, both of which oppose abortion rights, have launched initiatives to increase the number of crisis pregnancy centers, which "seek to dissuade women with unplanned pregnancies from having abortions," in inner cities nationwide to help minority women, the AP/Washington Times reports.

According to the AP/Times, data show that about 90% of women who undergo abortions live in urban areas and that the majority of those women are poor.

In addition, Latinas are 2.5 times as likely as white women to undergo the procedure, and black women are nearly four times as likely as white women to have an abortion, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute.

Lillie Epps, director of Care Net's Urban Initiative, said that the success of the campaigns relies on developing relationships with community leaders, such as black pastors, and recruiting local volunteers so as to diversify the counseling staff.

Some critics said it is hypocritical for people to support the initiatives but do not support other policies that have the potential to assist minority women and their families, the AP/Times reports.

Janet Durig -- director of Capitol Hill, a Care Net affiliate in Washington, D.C. -- said that the center does recommend abstinence but that it also provides other services, such as parenting courses and donations of baby clothes to the community (Crary, AP/Washington Times, 8/19).