Abortions in Arkansas Drop by Over 500 in 2015
On Friday, June 3, the Arkansas Department of Health released a report on the number of abortions performed in the state in 2015. According to the Health Department, the number of abortions in Arkansas fell to 3,771 in 2015—502 fewer abortions than in 2014, and the second-lowest year on record since 1977.
Family Council President Jerry Cox released a statement, saying, “Abortion has been on the decline since the mid-1990’s. Abortion in Arkansas is near historic-lows. This is proof positive the demand for abortion is going down.”
Cox attributed the decline in abortion in part to state laws passed in recent years. “The Arkansas Legislature has consistently passed sound, pro-life legislation. Our lawmakers have worked to make Arkansas a state where innocent, human life is respected from conception until natural death. These declining abortion numbers are the fruits of that labor.”
Cox also credited pregnancy resource centers in Arkansas as contributing to the decline. “Pregnancy resource centers and adoption services help women with unplanned pregnancies choose an option besides abortion. These are excellent organizations providing valuable services to women all over Arkansas, and these numbers show they are having a positive impact on our state.”
Cox said he believes abortion will continue to decline in coming years. “The Arkansas Legislature passed pro-life legislation in 2015 that did not take effect until late last summer. We’re seeing a steady stream of people stepping up to the plate, wanting to do their part to end abortion in Arkansas. Abortion has been following a downward trend for the past twenty years, and I expect that trend to continue.”
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Last week Attorney General Leslie Rutledge’s office appealed a federal court order blocking a good, pro-life law the Arkansas Legislature passed last year.
The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview is highlighting some startling information out of Europe.