Brook statement on the Telegraph article on Crisis Pregnancy Centres

Published: 11 February 2014

The Telegraph newspaper has found that counsellors at two independent pregnancy counselling centres in the UK have provided misinformation on abortion, falsely claiming that it can increase risk of breast cancer and infertility.

Brook's Chief Executive Simon Blake OBE commented:

"I was not at all surprised to hear that the Telegraph has uncovered poor-quality practice in independent pregnancy counselling centres in the UK. As mentioned in the article, an in-depth report on this issue, which shows that these centres are spread across the UK, will be released by Brook soon. Between 2012 and 2014 mystery shoppers visited just under a quarter of the 135 ‘crisis pregnancy centres’ identified by our project Education For Choice. They found the majority to be offering unacceptably biased and misleading information about pregnancy and abortion.

"Unfortunately, the Telegraph’s findings are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to inaccurate and unethical ‘counselling’ being offered to women with unplanned pregnancies. I look forward to highlighting this issue further and ensuring that those seeking support with pregnancy decision making are given impartial and accurate information to help them make informed choices."

For media enquiries please contact Brook's press office on 07789 682831 or email press@brook.org.uk

Notes to editors

Brook believes that young people should have access to great sexual health services and wellbeing support.

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and education programmes, reaching nearly 235,000 young people nationwide every year.
 
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