Need Guidance

[ellj]

I used to work as the coordinator for drug prevention programs for high risk youth. I still work in the same agency, but because I had a child, am now part time and working with a different population. One of the teens still contacts me. She is a Somali refugee, 15, and has struggled with depression since I have known her. She recently told me she was raped by a man (an adult) and she thinks she is pregnant. I think she was raped in December. I think she is at risk of hurting herself. I told the new program coordinator about what she has told me. She talked to our supervisor and the supervisor told her to give her a health clinic and planned parenthood resources. As a Catholic, what should I do? What are my obligation and responsibilities to this child? She has repeatedly told me that she does not want to bring this child into the world, please give me some guidance.

 

[Langdell]

I’ve never been in a situation like this, so I hesitate to offer any suggestions. …

I suppose I would tell her that abortion is legal in this country but it’s also a serious crime in the eyes of God. Then I’d give her some information on pro-life pregnancy crisis centers. And maybe also on women’s shelters, if she’s in danger.

You’re both in my prayers.

.

 

[Holly3278]

I would definitely not refer her to Planned Parenthood or any other pro-abortion organization. Instead, refer her to a crisis pregnancy center in your area. You can find one in your area on this website:

pregnancycenters.org/

Such crisis pregnancy centers are almost always, if not always, pro-life. They will not urge her to get an abortion but instead will counsel her and help her to get through her pregnancy. They will also help her to find adoption services if she needs them. The above link only lists pro-life crisis pregnancy centers.

 

[Newbie2]

Perhaps you can help her contact a Catholic or other Christian pregnancy-help clinic (the good kind) that can council her and arrange help?

Edit: Oops Holly beat me to it. Great minds think alike.

 

[ellj]

Does anyone know the Islamic view on abortion? It also seems as though she wouldn’t go somewhere for an abortion, but rather do something herself to abort the baby.

 

[Catholic1954]

Have you called the police and reported the rape? She is probably terrified of having a baby at this age, but if she has adult support, she might change her mind and agree to adoption.

 

[kage_ar]

Call
1-800-395-HELP

 

[Rence]

Does anyone know the Islamic view on abortion? It also seems as though she wouldn’t go somewhere for an abortion, but rather do something herself to abort the baby.

I have read several news articles in the past in which the father of the rape victim could put his daughter to death for her shame on the family by being raped…that’s probably why she wants to do something herself rather than go somewhere. It’s really unfortunate what people do to their children.

I used to work as the coordinator for drug prevention programs for high risk youth. I still work in the same agency, but because I had a child, am now part time and working with a different population. One of the teens still contacts me. She is a Somali refugee, 15, and has struggled with depression since I have known her. She recently told me she was raped by a man (an adult) and she thinks she is pregnant. I think she was raped in December. I think she is at risk of hurting herself. I told the new program coordinator about what she has told me. She talked to our supervisor and the supervisor told her to give her a health clinic and planned parenthood resources. As a Catholic, what should I do? What are my obligation and responsibilities to this child? She has repeatedly told me that she does not want to bring this child into the world, please give me some guidance. .

I don’t know how muslims regard abortion, but it appears your supervisor has been directed by her supervisor on what to do. What are the guidelines in your job for interfering when your supervisor is taking care of this? Are we to understand that your supervisor has taken on the duty of talkign to this rape victim? I wouldn’t go any further than educating her on what you believe aboout abortion, and educating her on the resources that are available to her. If your supervistor was told to refer the girl to a health clinic and PP, that’s what your supervisor will do. In the end it’s going to be up to the rape victim. Does she have anywhere to go? where is her family? Who is responsible for her?