Scottish bishops condemn rise in teen abortions

BY WILL HEAVEN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH in Scotland has criticised the Government’s sexual health strategy after it emerged that 87 13-year-olds underwent abortions between 2000 and 2008.
Thousands of young girls under the age of 16 had abortions during the same period, including eight 12-year-olds.
The figures were obtained using a Freedom of Information request by the Daily Record. They rekindled calls for better sex education in Scotland.
Peter Kearney, a spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland, said: “These are appalling and distressing statistics. If anything it indicates that the Government’s sexual health strategy, which was created by the last administration and perpetuated by the current administration, is working perfectly. Because part of that strategy was fast and instant access to widespread abortion services. Unfortunately, it is completely the wrong strategy.” In the Daily Telegraph Mr Kearney wrote: “They are all girls below the age of consent and that asks a very serious question of GPs in Scotland. To what extent did they follow this up and make sure cases were referred to the relevant authorities? Each of these cases represents a potential crime.” The Scottish government was said to be “disappointed” by the new abortion figures. It is likely that the Executive will fall short of its 2010 target to cut teenage pregnancy rates by a fifth.
Between 2007 and 2008 the number of abortions performed had risen by 79 to 13,817, an all-time high. Over 3,000 were carried out on teenagers, 343 on girls aged below 16.
Former health minister Susan Deacon said: “I have no hesitation in saying we should do more to encourage young people to delay sexual relationships. But a lot of young people are going to have sex. In some cases, it will be appropriate to offer more and better contraceptive solutions for these girls.” She added: “Some people would find it morally reprehensible for a 13-year-old girl to have a contraceptive implant, for example. But in limited circumstances and with appropriate support and supervision isn’t that preferable to becoming pregnant?” SPUC director John Smeaton welcomed Mr Kearney’s “robust comments”. He said: “This is the kind of challenge which churches, pro-life groups and parents should be making to the British Government. Its policies have the potential to lead to crimes, crimes against life, crimes against the family and breaches of the criminal law in relation to the age of consent.”