When you search ‘pregnancy center,’ the first thing that pops up is a list of crisis pregnancy centers, known as CPCs. According to Planned Parenthood, these places are not medical facilities or reputable centers, yet these establishments claim to provide pregnancy resources.
Crisis pregnancy centers are religiously affiliated nonprofit anti-abortion organizations. According to Reproductive Transparency Now’s website, they’re known to dissuade pregnant people from terminating a pregnancy. These organizations can be harmful to individuals seeking abortion services.
Right in our backyard in West Campus is a CPC, Trotter House.
“Let’s say people don’t want to book an appointment at UHS, and they can’t find a free pregnancy test,” said Miya Walker, neuroscience senior and co-president of the Feminist Action Project. “Maybe they can’t afford a pregnancy test over the counter, they might stumble into this place and not know that they might be faced with judgment from people and religious messaging that they don’t really want to hear.”
A CPC like Trotter House might seem ideal for students looking for an affordable pregnancy resource within walking distance. In an urgent situation, these students are vulnerable and may neglect to research because they want the fastest care possible, which is why it’s important to understand the intentions of CPCs — to push their religious beliefs onto people — and seek safer options.
An anonymous source shared her story from visiting the Agape Women’s Clinic in Round Rock. The 43-year-old woman said she has a history of miscarriages and visited the center in hopes of receiving neutral medical advice about her options.
“I walked in, and they called me to the back,” she said. “The first thing they had me do is sit down with them in prayer. I started getting the vibe that they were going to try to convince me I needed to keep (the pregnancy).”
Trotter House spokesperson Angela Weatherly states the organization is a “family and pregnancy resource center,” not a “fake pregnancy center” as advertised by Mayday Health on fliers around West Campus.
When asked about claims that they push their beliefs on others, Weatherly said, “God will never push his will on anyone,” and neither will she.
“We are not a medical facility and do not purport to be one on our website or ad campaigns,” she said in an email. “We are not government funded and are a Christian-based community outreach.”
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, because Trotter House is not a medical facility, they have no legal obligation to provide pregnant people with accurate information and are not subject to HIPAA to maintain client confidentiality.
This matters specifically in Texas because those seeking abortions could get in legal trouble if reported by Trotter House.
Additionally, while Trotter House may not be government-funded, several CPCs in Texas are, according to ProPublica.
According to Weatherly and the center’s website, the organization provides parental support, including free infant products, classes and counseling as well as free pregnancy tests and sonograms.
“We do not offer, recommend or refer for abortions or abortifacients, but are committed to offering accurate information about abortion procedures and risks, utilizing ‘Woman’s Right to Know’ issued by the State of Texas,” Weatherly said.
While Weatherly says she does not push her will on anyone, and she always asks to share her personal experience terminating her pregnancy.
“All the abortion clinic wanted was their cash payment and to rush me in and back out of the facility,” Weatherly said. “There was no counseling, no information given, just a receipt and a package of birth control pills. After the procedure, I immediately regretted my decision.”
While post-abortive trauma is common, it’s manipulative to use emotional tactics from a personal story to sway someone away from abortion.
There are 198 CPCs in Texas and 13 within 25 miles of UT. To find out if a facility is a CPC, use the crisis pregnancy center map to locate centers near you.
Mayday Health, a reproductive health education nonprofit, partnered with student groups to create a video and put up fliers around West Campus to spread awareness about CPCs, according to previous Texan coverage.
“We don’t provide legal advice,” said Tamara Stein, deputy director of Mayday Health. “We use our First Amendment right to go into spaces, whether it’s digitally or on the ground with students, and just shout from the rooftops that you have the ability to get information and education about your reproductive health, and you can get that information all on our website.”
Mayday provides educational resources about abortion, birth control, emergency contraceptives and more on their website without collecting your data. They also show visitors how to protect their digital privacy when clicking external links.
Additionally, if you disagree with abortion laws in Texas, you have a voice. Officially register your opposition or support on a specific legislative bill at the Texas Capitol.
“With the capital so close to us, it’s really easy and accessible if you hear about legislation that could affect your rights in any way, including reproductive health,” Walker said. “You can pull up, let them know and potentially testify.”
Everyone has a right to their religion and opinions, but they also should remain honest and let people make their own choices regarding their bodies. CPCs need to stop pushing their beliefs on patients and start helping them.
Harrison is a journalism senior from Dallas, Texas.
