The jump in abortion numbers in California is due to Government policies that amount to ‘systemic coercion’ in favour of abortion over helping women give birth in crisis pregnancy situations.

That’s according to Molly Sheahan, associate director for healthy families at the California Catholic Conference, the lobbying arm of the California bishops.

Clinics in California provided an estimated 179,700 abortions in 2023, a 16.6% increase since 2020.

While there’s been a huge promotional push by the State for abortion, parenting and adoption resources haven’t been promoted at all, say Catholic and pro-life advocates.

“There’s no pregnancy.ca.gov,” said Sheahan. Expectant families have to do their own legwork to tap into the state’s social services or to find support from a local pregnancy center, she explained, adding that waiting lists for affordable housing and childcare are very long. Pregnant mothers may have difficulty accessing health care as at least 46 California maternity wards have closed since 2012.

“If you’re searching for abortion, everything will be provided, but if you choose to parent you really are on your own,” Sheahan said. “What this amounts to is a systemic coercion of women.”