Where does someone turn when facing an unplanned pregnancy? Preconceived tells the stories of Maleeha and Maria, two women who, while navigating unplanned pregnancies, inadvertently found themselves at facilities discouraging them from abortions. The film is a window into these enigmatic centers that some call “pregnancy resource centers” and others call “fake clinics.” Shedding light on how many of these centers are a part of a movement striving to make abortion unthinkable and illegal, the documentary explores the complex role of deception, finances, faith, and privacy. Amid a shifting legal landscape, Preconceived underscores the significance of understanding the resources available to pregnant people.
“Preconceived,” a documentary that captures the nuances of the complex, controversial issue of abortion, will make your blood boil. By focusing on the popular “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” (aka fake abortion clinics) that are popping up all over the country, co-directors Kate Dumke and Sabrine Keane have constructed a film that’s a must-see for all advocates of women’s rights.
The film covers a lot of ground, but the most compelling content comes from firsthand accounts of women with unplanned pregnancies who inadvertently found their way at facilities that, by design, were founded to discourage them from having an abortion.
Currently in the United States, there are over 2,500 of these Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPC) while fewer than 800 actual abortion clinics are still in operation. That means women in need of help are more likely to end up at one of these non-medically regulated facilities instead of a real doctor’s office.
Their tactics are brilliantly sneaky, from opening up next door to Planned Parenthood clinics to targeting specific populations (which overwhelmingly include minority or impoverished neighborhoods, and even on Native American reservations). Their goal is to shame, guilt, and embarrass women into changing their mind about having an abortion or, as has happened to many women, flat-out lie and delay until it’s too late to perform the procedure. They will promote falsehoods and deliberate misinformation, and even give out religious literature stating that abortion is murder.
You’d think these fake clinics that are purposely designed to mislead would be put out of business quickly, but get this: many are receiving government (both federal and state) funding. Yes, that’s right: these are Evangelical ministries operating as unregulated (thanks to the Supreme Court) medical facilities with the outward appearance of an official clinic. These facilities are weaponizing faith and a fundamentalist ideology with a strategic, organized, and well-funded network.
Keane and Dumke interview the CEOs and Presidents of some of the largest CPC corporations, and they uncover a staggering lack of privacy in their digital software and paperwork protection (since CPCs aren’t technically medical clinics, HIPAA doesn’t apply to them). All of this is incredibly dangerous to women, and it’s shocking.
The film presents the other side too, including those who are helping women in financial distress take care of their new baby by providing supplies and diapers. It all seems admirable at first, but as one of the subjects points out, she was only able to get assistance for the first month after she was talked into carrying her baby to term.
Another angle tackled by the documentary is the political implications and ties that abortion has to the conservative and religious movements in America. This is an important issue that the younger generation seems to be unwilling to fight for, but it’s going to take a combined effort for citizens to stand up for abortion rights.
“Preconceived” should get every supporter of women’s rights fired up to turn out and vote this November.
