#144 – Planned Parenthood in Bridgeville, PA
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
533 WASHINGTON AVE. # 203
BRIDGEVILLE, PA 15017-2072
412-257-9880
TAPE – 144
(dialing sound) (ringing 2X)
CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. Nancy speaking.
CALLER: Hi. I was wondering if you guys do abortions there.
CLINIC: We don’t, but we refer you to a Planned Parenthood site in Pittsburgh that does them. Do you want the number for that?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay, hold on.
(pause)
CLINIC: Okay, you still there?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay, the number is area code 412-562-1900.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Well, is it all right if I ask — well, like my friend told me that you guys have to tell my parents before I can have an abortion.
CLINIC: No.
CALLER: Is that true?
CLINIC: No. You don’t have to tell your parents, honey.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: They’ll explain all that to you when you call. Tell them that you can’t tell your parents, and they’ll tell you exactly what to do. They’ll walk you through it.
CALLER: Well, it’s just I can’t tell anyone because —
CLINIC: Well, that’s okay. That’s okay. They’ll explain all that to you. Yeah.
CALLER: Okay. Do you know if there’s like an age requirement for having an abortion?
CLINIC: No, I don’t think so.
CALLER: Like, because I’ll be 14 in March, and that’s still all right?
CLINIC: That I don’t know. You’d have to ask them. But I would imagine it’s okay.
CALLER: Okay. Well, and you’re sure that they wouldn’t tell my boyfriend or my parents?
CLINIC: No, I know they won’t tell anybody. Yeah. I know they won’t tell anybody. Seriously, they can’t. Okay? So just give them a call and ask them all those questions.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: If you feel more comfortable ask them all the questions before you give them your name.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: So they won’t know who you are.
CALLER: Okay. Well, do you guys do — like if it turned out that I wasn’t really pregnant, do you guys do birth control there?
CLINIC: Uh-huh. Here, we do.
CALLER: Because my friend told me to call you guys, so.
CLINIC: Yeah. Did you take a pregnancy test? Was it positive?
CALLER: Well, I took one over the weekend, and it was.
CLINIC: Okay. Okay. So the first thing you need to do is to call them and get that all taken care of, okay?
CALLER: Um-hum.
CLINIC: Then after the termination they’ll start you on birth control, and then you can just come to one of us at the other sites, and we’ll keep you on it.
CALLER: Okay, and you guys wouldn’t have to tell anybody?
CLINIC: No. No. We’re not allowed to tell anybody.
CALLER: Okay. Is it all right like if my boyfriend pays for it because he’s 22?
CLINIC: Oh, yeah.
CALLER: He’s got a job.
CLINIC: Oh, yeah, sure.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: So like could he pick it up and everything?
CLINIC: Pick up what?
CALLER: The birth control?
CLINIC: Well, you’d have to come to the place to get it.
CALLER: Oh.
CLINIC: You have to be seen first, you know?
CALLER: Okay, but you guys wouldn’t tell anybody or anything?
CLINIC: No, no. We can’t tell anybody.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay? So just give them a call, and they’ll start you on the way. Okay?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay.
CALLER: If I had any — well, yeah. Okay.
CLINIC: Mm-hmm. Bye.
CALLER: All right. Thanks.
(phone clicks)
***END***
#137 – Planned Parenthood in Bristol, PA
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
721 NEW RODGERS RD.
BRISTOL, PA 19007-2594
215-785-4591
TAPE – 137
(dialing sounds) (ringing 1X)
CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. Could I help you?
CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was wondering if you guys do abortions there?
CLINIC: We don’t do them in this office. They’re done out of our Warminster (sp) office.
CALLER: Okay. Do you have that phone number?
CLINIC: 957-7980. But before you can have an abortion done there you need to have a pregnancy test done at one of our clinics.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And when the test comes back we’ll go over your options with you. If you decide you want to have a termination done, you need to complete what’s called a compliance counseling.
CALLER: Uh-huh.
CLINIC: That’s a video-tape you need to watch about the procedure and some paperwork that you need to fill out.
CALLER: Uh-huh.
CLINIC: Our procedures are only done on Fridays, so it needs to be completed by Wednesday of that week.
CALLER: Do you know if there’s like an age requirement for that or anything? Like I’ll be 14 in March.
CLINIC: You’ll be 14?
CALLER: Uh-huh.
CLINIC: You need to have parental consent in Pennsylvania.
CALLER: I can’t have that. Like — well, like my parents can’t find out at all. Is there any way not to — like —
CLINIC: Then you would have to go over to New Jersey. I mean, yeah, because in Pennsylvania you need parental consent.
CALLER: Oh. Well, it’s just like my parents can’t find out at all because like my boyfriend’s 22, and we’re in love and we’re going to get married, but like they hate him because they think he’s too old for me.
CLINIC: Okay, well, that’s fine. You would have to go over to New Jersey. They don’t need parental consent there.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Do you know how far along you are?
CALLER: Well, the last, my last period was like the first week in December.
CLINIC: Okay. Hold on for one second.
(pause)
CLINIC: Hello?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. Let me give you some phone numbers in New Jersey.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay. There’s Planned Parenthood of the Mercer area, and that’s in Trenton. And the number there is 609-599-4881. There’s the South Jersey Women’s Center, that’s in Cherry Hill. And the phone number there is 1-800-240-6730. And there is the Princeton Women’s Center. The number there is 1-800-216-0016. And the Cherry Hill Women’s Center, the number is 1-800-877-6331.
CALLER: 6331?
CLINIC: Uh-huh.
CALLER: All right.
CLINIC: Okay.
CALLER: Well, like if I came to you guys could you do birth control there?
CLINIC: Well, what you would do is, you can go for the procedure first. You can always come back here for a post-abortion exam which needs to be done three weeks after your procedure. So the day that you go in for the procedure, like if you go in on a Friday — wait a couple days until you’re feeling better, and then give us a call, and we can schedule the appointment for you.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: But like with birth control there you guys wouldn’t have to tell anybody?
CLINIC: No, we wouldn’t tell anybody. It’s confidential.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: So like is it all right if my boyfriend comes and is there with me?
CLINIC: It’s okay, but you need to understand that in a lot of clinics, you know, sometimes we’re required if there is such a large age difference to report it.
CALLER: To who? What do you mean?
CLINIC: Well, it’s illegal for anybody over 17 to be having sex with someone who’s 13. So you can come in by yourself. That’s fine.
CALLER: What could happen?
CLINIC: What was that?
CALLER: What could happen?
CLINIC: Your boyfriend could go to jail.
CALLER: What?
CLINIC: So —
CALLER: Well, what can I do?
CLINIC: I would just say, you know, you can come in by yourself, and if you go over to New Jersey, you know, just you know, say that it’s a friend that’s bringing you.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: So just don’t tell them who he is?
CLINIC: Yes, exactly. Uh-huh.
CALLER: All right.
CLINIC: All right. Bye.
CALLER: Well, is there any way like I could call you back? Like if I could talk to my mom like I’m talking to you it would be — What was your name?
CLINIC: My name is Megan.
CALLER: Megan?
CLINIC: Um-hum.
CALLER: All right. Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Thank you.
CLINIC: All right. Bye bye.
CALLER: Bye.
(phone clicks)
***END***
#127 – Planned Parenthood in Carlisle, PA
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
43 BROOKWOOD AVE. # 7
CARISLE, PA 17013-9172
717-243-0515
TAPE – 127
(dialing sounds) (ringing 1X)
CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. How can I help you?
CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was wondering if you guys do abortions there?
CLINIC: No, we don’t.
CALLER: No? Okay.
CLINIC: No, not in our affiliate. The closest Planned Parenthood is the one in, the affiliate in York.
CALLER: In York?
CLINIC: Yeah, or we refer to Hillcrest Women’s Clinic in Harrisburg.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Do you need that number?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. Hold on one second and I’ll get it for you. Are you interested in a surgical abortion or a medical abortion?
CALLER: I don’t know. Like is there an age requirement for either one?
CLINIC: How old are you?
CALLER: I’ll be 14 in March.
CLINIC: Okay. You do need parental consent in the state of Pennsylvania. Are you involving Mom and Dad?
CALLER: Like I can’t tell them. Like, well, my boyfriend’s 22 and we’re going to get married, but they hate him so they can’t find out. They think he’s too old for me.
CLINIC: Okay. Then you’re going to need to go out of state.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And the closest would be in Hagerstown, Maryland.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Let me give you a number for them, okay?
CALLER: All right.
CLINIC: Let me see here. I’m looking trying to find it for you. I get a little confused. Oh, my goodness I just had it.
CALLER: In Maryland they don’t have to tell my parents or anything?
CLINIC: No.
CALLER: All right.
CLINIC: No. I’m looking. Okay, here. Hagerstown Reproductive Health Services, and it’s in Hagerstown. It’s 1-800-773-9140.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay, honey?
CALLER: Well, I was wondering like if like I wasn’t pregnant, is there any way I could have birth control?
CLINIC: We can dispense birth control from here with, you know, after an exam and things like that. We do do it here. If you were interested in setting up an appointment. But what you’re first I guess, you — have you confirmed that you’re pregnant?
CALLER: Well, I took a home pregnancy test over the weekend.
CLINIC: And it was positive?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Then you’re more than likely — that’s accurate, and you are pregnant.
CALLER: Oh.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Well, like if I got birth control there you wouldn’t have to tell anybody?
CLINIC: Nope.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Nope, it’s confidential.
CALLER: Is it all right if like my boyfriend comes with me?
CLINIC: Yeah, that’s fine.
CALLER: And he wouldn’t have to fill out any forms or anything?
CLINIC: No. No. The only thing that —
CLINIC (Talking to Another Clinic Worker): Yeah, she’s — I just think I put her chart up.
CLINIC: Can you hold for just one moment, please?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay.
(pause)
CLINIC: Okay, thanks for holding. Yeah. I mean, we most certainly can set you up with an appointment here.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Now, my only question and issue to you is, you are aware of the statutes on the age difference between you and your partner, aren’t you?
CALLER: I don’t understand.
CLINIC: I mean, you’re 14 and he’s how old?
CALLER: He’s 22.
CLINIC: Okay. And by law – I mean, you’re not having any kind of coercive intercourse?
CALLER: No. We’re in love. We’re going to get married. We just got to — like he’s going to move out and we’re going to get married, and we just have to figure out what to do about my parents.
CLINIC: Okay, all right. Well, I’m just telling you because I mean if we involve him in this there’s — you know, I mean, it just could be — there could be questions.
CALLER: Like what kind of questions?
CLINIC: Well, legality. (laughs) I mean, when there’s more than, I believe it’s —
CALLER: Like could he get in trouble?
CLINIC: Well, he could. I mean, by law you’re not — you’re more than a minor.
CALLER: Well, what could happen?
CLINIC: He could go to jail. Okay? I mean, that’s — and that’s probably why your parents aren’t supporting this. I just want to tell you what the mandate is.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: The mandate of reporting of suspicious sexual abuse — I’m not saying you’re being sexually abused — but if someone is less than 16 years old and the person is more than 4 years older, or if the person is 13, irrespective of age difference between the victim and the alleged perpetrator, the mandate to report exists only when the alleged perpetrator is a parent, stepparent, member of household, or a boyfriend/girlfriend, caretaker. Now, I don’t know — this is in the event — I’m only saying — that someone suspects sexual abuse, which it does not obviously sound that is the case for you. But I just want you to be aware that that is something that people will question because there is such a large age difference between you.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: I mean, you’re a young girl. He’s a man. And that’s — you know, that’s a big difference, okay? As long as you are not being physically or sexually abused in any way, there should not be a problem. But you still, for the service that you’re looking for first, for the first thing, you definitely have to go out of state without your parents.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Now here, we can do whatever you need as far as your healthcare and birth control without them being involved at all.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay? I just want to make sure that you’re in a good situation and everything.
CALLER: Yeah. Well, he loves me. He’s a sweetheart.
CLINIC: Okay. Well, that’s — you know. And this is — it’s your decision, you know? (laughs) It is your decision.
CALLER: Is it okay if i call you back? I like you.
CLINIC: Oh, absolutely. Please.
CALLER: What was your name?
CLINIC: My name’s Jackie.
CALLER: Jackie? All right.
CLINIC: Yes. Okay?
CALLER: And you don’t have to tell anybody or anything?
CLINIC: Not at all, honey.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay? So get your thoughts together.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Call Hagerstown. See what you can get accomplished there.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And obviously he could probably help you out financially with the service?
CALLER: Yeah. He’s going to take care of everything.
CLINIC: Okay, and when you come here for your services they would be free because of your age, okay?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: So you don’t — you wouldn’t have to worry about that, and you could hide that from whoever you needed to. (laughs) Okay?
CALLER: So like is it cool if he comes with me to get like birth control or whatever?
CLINIC: That would be fine. That should be fine.
CALLER: And he wouldn’t have to fill out any forms or anything?
CLINIC: No, he wouldn’t. This is just about you, okay?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: So you just do what you need to do.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Thanks.
CLINIC: You’re welcome, honey. Good luck to you, okay?
CALLER: Thanks.
CLINIC: Um-hum.
CALLER: Bye.
CLINIC: Bye bye.
(phone clicks)
***END***
#534 – Planned Parenthood in Doylestown, PA
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
301 S. MAIN ST. # 2E
DOYLESTOWN, PA 18901-4886
215-348-0555
TAPE – 534
(dialing sounds) (ringing 1X)
CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. How can I help you?
CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was wondering if you guys do abortions there?
CLINIC: We do them in the Warminster Office, but we do all the referrals here, which is required by the state. Would you like to make an appointment?
CALLER: Well, I don’t know. Could I ask a couple questions first?
CLINIC: Sure. Uh-huh.
CALLER: I’m just really worried about all this because — well, I’m going to be 14 in March, and my friend said that you guys would have to tell my parents. But my boyfriend is 22. Is he old enough to take care of it and you wouldn’t have to tell anybody about anything?
CLINIC: No. No, no, no. If you — in the state of Pennsylvania parental — you have to have parental consent to be eligible for an abortion. If you have the procedure done in New Jersey then he can take you and you can have it without your parents knowing.
CALLER: Really?
CLINIC: Uh-huh.
CALLER: Okay. Well —
CLINIC: Do you want me to give you a couple numbers you can try?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. There’s a facility in Princeton called the Princeton Women’s Center.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: That’s about the closest one to us, and I’ll give you that number as soon as I find it here. I know the doctor that works over there, and they’ll take care of you really well.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: Here it is. It’s 1-800-216-0016.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay, you just call them and they’ll set up everything that you need to do.
CALLER: Well, could I come in there for like a pregnancy test though? It’s just, I’m just worried about all this because I haven’t had my period since like December 21st, and I’m so scared.
CLINIC: Okay. So you haven’t taken a home pregnancy test or anything like that?
CALLER: No.
CLINIC: Okay. That’s fine.
CALLER: I didn’t think that they were right or anything.
CLINIC: Yeah, they are.
CALLER: Oh. But could I still come in there?
CLINIC: Sure. I’m going to look and see when I can see you. Where do you live?
CALLER: I live here in Doylestown.
CLINIC: Oh, okay, good, so you’re close. Well, I’d be happy to see you tonight at 6:00.
CALLER: Okay. Well, I’d have to call my boyfriend to see. He would be the only way I could get here. Would that be all right if he was there?
CLINIC: Sure.
CALLER: Really?
CLINIC: What is your last name?
CALLER: It’s Smith.
CLINIC: Your first name?
CALLER: Christine.
CLINIC: With a “K”?
CALLER: A “C-H”.
CLINIC: What is your date of birth?
CALLER: It’s March 19, 1988. But would you guys have to tell anybody if I was getting a pregnancy test though?
CLINIC: No.
CALLER: Really?
CLINIC: It’s confidential. ’88. You’re not 14 yet, are you?
CALLER: Right.
CLINIC: Wow. Okay. Just come on in. You know, your visit is going to be completely anonymous. We’ll run a pregnancy test for you but there is a paperwork you have to fill out as part of our procedure. But it’s confidential. So you don’t have to worry about anybody finding out. And then they’ll give you referrals for your procedure.
CALLER: Okay. Well, my boyfriend said that he would pay for everything. Would he have to sign anything too?
CLINIC: No, as long as you have cash.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: All right?
CALLER: Okay. Well, if it ended up that I wasn’t pregnant, could I get birth control there?
CLINIC: Oh, absolutely, sure.
CALLER: It’s just, we don’t want to have to go through all this again.
CLINIC: All right. Sure. Sure you can.
CALLER: Well, would you have to know — would anybody have to know if I was on birth control though?
CLINIC: Nope. (chuckles)
CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, the thing is, I can’t drive, but my boyfriend can. Would he be able to pick up the birth control if —
CLINIC: No. You have to come in yourself to get your own pills.
CALLER: Oh, really?
CLINIC: Yep.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: All right?
CALLER: Well, could I — if I had any other questions could I call and talk to you?
CLINIC: Yeah, my name —
CALLER: What was your name?
CLINIC: My name is Lynne.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Okay, thank you.
CLINIC: Bye.
CALLER: Bye.
(phone clicks)
***END***