Protestors accuse Planned Parenthood of failing to report alleged statutory rape

By Joyce Coronel | April 15, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

Nearly 200 people prayed and sang hymns outside a Phoenix abortion clinic March 29 to protest the organization’s alleged handling of revelations that a minor may have been sexually involved with an adult.

In Arizona, the law requires that if an adult-child relationship is revealed, authorities must be contacted.

The allegations center around a video tape, released to both the media and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, in which student activist Lila Rose, posing as a 15-year-old girl, seeks information about procuring an abortion at Planned Parenthood clinics in both Tucson and Phoenix.

In the tape, Rose says she is involved with a man who is 27. One clinic worker assures her that “we don’t ask questions” and a second tells her, “everything is confidential.”

Rose has reportedly been threatened with legal action by Planned Parenthood for her undercover work at other clinics, but remains firm in her stand regarding the video.

“We expect the Arizona Attorney General to uphold the law and prosecute Planned Parenthood for returning young, victimized girls into the arms of their abusers, rather than notifying the responsible organizations that carefully follow reporting laws,” Rose said.

In Indiana, a similar incident recorded on tape led to one clinic worker being fired. Another was suspended in the wake of the video’s release.

Planned Parenthood officials did not return phone calls seeking comment, but issued a statement prior to the March 29 protest.

“We are conducting an internal review and will come to a conclusion that is fact-based and not based on edited propaganda video,” the statement read.

A spokesperson for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said the matter was under review.

Melanie Pritchard, director of Life Education Corporation, said the protest was about well-being.

“It’s a matter of the health and safety of young girls,” she said. “It should prompt an investigation for the county attorney to look and see if Planned Parenthood is covering up any incidences of statutory rape. We do think they will find evidence.”

Heather Garrison, of Corpus Christi Parish, was outside the clinic praying next to a man strumming a guitar and leading the group in hymns.

“I’m here for the women who are not getting the help they deserve. These women deserve the truth,” she said. “Planned Parenthood says they are here for the health of the women, but that’s a lie.”