Women who have quietly suffered the pain of abortion are breaking the silence to bring public awareness that abortion is harmful to women. Silent No More, a movement that began about a year ago in Washington DC for women who have had abortions, has now begun in Canada. Canadian founder Denise Mountenay of Edmonton, Alberta says Silent No More has post-abortive women reaching out to other women hurt by abortion. “We need to be on the frontlines to reach post-abortive women and let them know they are not alone, help is available.”

In addition to providing assistance, Silent No More encourages women who regret their abortions to write out their testimonies as evidence that abortion harms women and kills children. Denise hopes to reach post-abortive women in every province across Canada “to write up affidavits on the negative impact abortion has had on their lives. These affidavits must be notarized and returned to us for possible use in litigation to prove this procedure is not a healthy choice for women.” Already, several affidavits have been submitted for use in the Morgentaler vs New Brunswick case, in which abortionist Henry Morgentaler is demanding the Province of NB pay for all abortions done in his Fredericton clinic.

Denise became involved in Silent No More when she was invited to attend an event in Dallas, Texas last June. Over 60 women gathered to share their stories and to hand in affidavits. Because Denise had an abortion in a Buffalo, New York clinic, her affidavit was included. She was then asked to head up Silent No More in Canada and knew she had to do it.

With over 100,000 abortions in Canada every year, Denise knows there are many women who are suffering in silence. “I have been getting calls from women who are fighting depression, anxiety disorders, infertility, breast cancer, cervical cancer…we are just seeing a tiny tip of the iceberg. Below the surface are multitudes of damaged women.”

Denise has personally experienced many of the symptoms of Post-Abortion Syndrome. In her book, Forgiven of Murder: A True Story,” she describes being raped at the tender age of 13. The trauma that followed led her to turn to drugs and alcohol, and at 16, she found herself pregnant. “My mother told me to come and have this ‘operation’ and forget about it. I was too young, so I thought this (abortion) must be okay.” Then at the age of 26, she became pregnant again. At the urging of her mother and the birth father, she went to an abortion clinic. When she asked the doctor about fetal development, the doctor lied, telling her “it was just a clump of tissue.” The abortion was done while she was wide-awake. “It was horrific, painful, and very traumatic. I got an infection. Now I have an incompetent cervix, scarred uterus, fertility problems, and an increased risk for breast cancer with lumps now removed…I’ve fought depression, remorse, guilt, regrets and shame.”

Denise feels it’s imperative that women contemplating abortion be fully informed of all the risks involved, and that they be told about fetal development. Currently, there are no such requirements in Canada. Silent No More offers a way for women like Denise to warn other women of abortion’s detrimental effects. “It lets us overcome something so evil with something good.”

It may be painful for women who have had abortions to share their stories, but Denise believes the reward comes in knowing that it might prevent someone from choosing an abortion and save a child’s life.

If you know of someone who is hurting after an abortion, who may have developed infertility, depression, breast cancer or other complications, Denise can be reached toll-free at 1-888-777-5503. .Marlene Tersigni is executive assistant of St. Catharine’s Right to Life in whose newsletter this article appeared. Reprinted with permission.