In his book, ‘Grief is a Journey’ Kenneth Doka describes disenfranchised grief as grief that results when a person experiences a significant loss and the accompanying grief is not openly acknowledged, validated by society, or publicly mourned. So although the person is experiencing a grief reaction, they do not receive any social recognition that they have a right to grieve or claim sympathy or support (Doka, Atria Books, 2016).

Grief following an abortion falls into this category; women and men who are feeling grief after an abortion can feel ignored or discounted leaving them to suffer on their own. If no outside support is available, these troubling emotions can become overwhelming. 

Miscarriage can also cause disenfranchised grief, especially in early pregnancy as well as stillbirth and Sudden Infant Death Sydrome which are still little understood.

Acknowledging these emotions and coming to terms with past experiences is a valid and healing process and our Step by Step support programme fills a unique and often unmet need in this area.