Planned Parenthood, Affiliate, Differ in Sex-Trafficking Video Reaction

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Feb 1, 2011   |   4:55PM   |   Trenton, NJ

The Planned Parenthood abortion business and a New Jersey affiliate are giving the public contrasting reactions to a new sex-trafficking video depicting officials at a New Jersey clinic helping sex traffickers obtain abortions for the girls they victimize.

The video, released by the investigative group Live Action, contains two actors who talk to paid Planned Parenthood staffers about their sex trafficking ring and they are shown how to get the young, illegally-imported girls back on the street to further the sex trade shortly after their abortions. They are also directed by Planned Parenthood officials to another, more shady, abortion center that will give them less grief about the abortions on the young women.

Phyllis Kinsler, chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey, told the Associated Press the abortion business is looking into the evidence the video presents and painted a more serious view of the video footage.

“Planned Parenthood insists on the highest standards of care, and safeguards the trusted relationship we have with patients, families and communities,” the abortion business said in a statement. “What appears on edited tapes made public today is not consistent with Planned Parenthood’s practices, and is under review.”

Kinsler told AP the employees behavior “violates PPCNJ policies, as well as our core values of protecting the welfare of minors and complying with the law, and appropriate action is being taken.”

That’s contrasted with the reaction from the national Planned Parenthood abortion business, which tweeted this afternoon: “Planned Parenthood is no stranger to the attacks of those who oppose sexual and reproductive rights. We’re still here, providing the care you need. That being said, back to business.”

Last week the abortion business tried to stem the tide of the public outrage by issuing a statement attacking the video and saying it contacted FBI officials about the actors posing as sex trafficking perpetrators.

“Falsely claiming sex trafficking to health professionals to advance a political agenda is an astoundingly cynical form of political activity,” Planned Parenthood spokesman Stuart Schear said.

David Schmidt, the research director of Live Action, responded to the various comments and said the PPNJ affiliate’s remarks make it clear “Planned Parenthood New Jersey is admitting that the undercover video we released today shows Planned Parenthood office staff violating policies and “core values” of “complying with the law.'”

“Yet their national office today tweeted out an article calling the video we released today a ‘hoax,” he added. “Something doesn’t have their act together. Is it a hoax or did your staff aid sex trafficking? You can’t have it both ways.”

Paul Loriquet, a spokesman for New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow, told AP Dow is at least taking it somewhat seriously as her office is “looking into the allegations.”