Abortion foes try a new trick on clinics

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Anti-abortion activists have revealed the latest covert tactic in their running battle against abortion clinics: A woman posing as a pregnant teen has been calling clinics of hopes of drawing them into violating the law.

Life Dynamics, a Texas-based anti-abortion group, said one of its activists has called more than 800 abortion clinics nationwide in recent months, pretending to be a 13-year-old girl impregnated by her 22-year-old boyfriend.

Life Dynamics president Mark Crutcher said more than 90 percent of the clinic employees handling the calls indicated they would conceal the information provided by the caller — a possible violation of state laws requiring the reporting of sexual abuse of a minor.

The calls are the latest in an arsenal of new strategies adopted by anti-abortion militants after authorities clamped down on confrontational protests at clinics.

Among other tactics: encouraging clinic staff members to serve as informants and posting photos on the Internet of women seeking abortions.

Most of the clinics receiving the telephone calls are affiliated with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Gloria Feldt, Planned Parenthood president, said the organization expects its employees to comply with state laws, but also encourages them to "provide callers with what I’d call a comfort level."

"Here’s someone who’s calling me who’s worried, scared," said Feldt, putting herself in the role of a clinic staffer. "How can I help her feel comfortable, get her to the professionals who can help?"

Crutcher, who has released tape recordings of the calls, said some clinic employees told the caller how to avoid detection and circumvent parental notification laws.

In several cases, according to Crutcher, the caller was encouraged to conceal her age or her boyfriend’s age or give false names to lessen the chance that the boyfriend could be charged with statutory rape.

National Abortion Federation spokeswoman Stephanie Mueller said laws on reporting statutory rape vary from state to state, often affording some discretion to health care professionals.