Wisconsin Abortions Now at All-Time Low Following Recent Decrease

State   |   Barbara Lyons   |   Aug 23, 2013   |   5:18PM   |   Madison, WI

It’s hard to describe the feeling when we learn of another abortion decrease! Our staff, board and volunteers are filled with joy to know that our work results in life for hundreds of unborn babies.

baby56The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Induced Abortion Report for 2012 shows a 4.4% decrease in Wisconsin abortions. What fantastic news for babies and their mothers who choose life for them!

Abortions dipped from 7,249 in 2011 to 6,927 in 2012, accounting for the 4.4% decrease.

Wisconsin abortions have decreased 68% from their all-time high in 1980 and 60% since Wisconsin began requiring abortion reporting in 1987.

Number of Wisconsin Abortions

1980                1987                2011                2012
21,754            17,318            7,249              6,927

We estimate that the cumulative number of Wisconsin babies saved from abortion since 1987 is:

128,011 Lives Saved!

The Wisconsin abortion ratio of 10 abortions per 100 live births is dramatically below the national ratio of 24 per 100 live births. RU 486 abortions dipped from 24% of all Wisconsin abortions in 2011 to 14% in 2012. This is the obvious result of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin suspending RU 486 abortions for one year due to enactment of the web cam prohibition.

Wisconsin Right to Life implements a bold, expansive strategy each year:

  • Educate young people, women most likely to have an abortion, and the general public about the value of life.
  • Refer women to resources to help carry their babies to term.
  • Provide leadership for sweeping public policy reforms which protect women, unborn children, families and taxpayers. This includes legislation like Woman’s Right to Know, requiring parental consent prior to a minor girl’s abortion, preventing coerced abortions, prohibiting web cam abortions and the recently-enacted Sonya’s Law requiring ultrasound prior to abortion.

The vision of these strategies makes Wisconsin a national model for abortion decrease. It is a gratifying fulfillment of our mission for Wisconsin Right to Life to lead combined efforts which result in life for vulnerable babies and spare their mothers a lifetime of emotional pain.

Tonight, 322 babies whose lives were spared from abortion in 2012 will sleep comfortably in their beds, bringing joy and hope to their families. Today and every day are good days for these precious children who will have the future they deserve.

LifeNews Note: Barbara Lyons is the director of Wisconsin Right to Life.