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Recently I have been heart broken over the issues of baby abandonment in my community. With the most recent gut wrenching case taking place in Saskatchewan, I began searching for information about what to do if you are pregnant, young, alone and scared just as this latest teen mom was.
Edited to add we now have another abandoned baby in Canada who was not as lucky to be found in time, as baby Jane was.
A Baby Boy was born, and abandoned this past Monday in a Saskatchewan Wal Mart washroom. He survived, surveillance footage of the mother is expected to be released Thursday.
/2007/05/24/no-need-for-safe-haven-laws-in-saskatchewan-justice-minister/
So far I have been unable to find anything in place for young Canadian women. No programs, no safe havens, no surrender policies. I did however find several examples of safe surrender or safe haven laws in the US.
I understand that 47 United States of America have been enacting similar laws since about 2000.
I’ve also learned that France, Belgium and other European countries have a history of safe abandonment practices.
I want this for the girls in my community. I want this for girls and women and newborn babies all across my country.
Despite the many examples of such practices, I have no idea how to make this happen in my community.
On Wednesday February 7th, I wrote my MP Hedy Fry as well as Stockwell Day Minister of Public Safety, MP Libby Davies, and Sheila Copps all of whom I believe may be able to help me find a way to help these unprepared mothers and their newborns.
I ask that my fellow Canadians pick up this call to save our babies, and write to your local MP as I have. Ask for assistence in passing Safe Surrender legislation suitable for Canadian’s. These newborns may be abandoned, but they are still very much wanted by prospective adoptive parents and they each deserve a shot at life not too mention a happy childhood.
Find your community, find your MP, send them an email, fax or a letter.
http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/mpscur.asp
Thank You!
this is amazing work you are doing. i would like to know more about it, South Africa (my country) has a massive problem with neonaticide, young terrified mothers literally throwing their babies away. I would really appreciate it if you could point in the right direction. Thanks Doula Tam
doula_tam
June 6, 2007
There is help – Project Cuddle provides a 24-hour hotline reaching Canada and the US for pregnant women who are scared, feel trapped, or need help with what to do with the baby after it is born. Project Cuddle’s aim is to prevent baby abandonment – for confidential help in English or Spanish, women can call 88-TO-CUDDLE or visit ProjectCuddle.org. Spread the word!
Elizabeth
March 28, 2008