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Abortions on under-14s revealed | Abortions on under-14s revealed |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Abortions were carried out on almost 100 girls aged 14 or younger last year in Scotland, figures have shown. | Abortions were carried out on almost 100 girls aged 14 or younger last year in Scotland, figures have shown. |
The statistics were contained in response to a freedom of information request by a Scottish newspaper. | The statistics were contained in response to a freedom of information request by a Scottish newspaper. |
Almost 3,000 girls under 15 had terminations between 2001 and 2008, eight of whom were 12-years-old. | Almost 3,000 girls under 15 had terminations between 2001 and 2008, eight of whom were 12-years-old. |
Previous official figures have only given numbers for the under-16 age group in general, with no further age breakdown. | Previous official figures have only given numbers for the under-16 age group in general, with no further age breakdown. |
Public Health Minister Shona Robison said the figures, obtained by the Daily Record newspaper, gave "cause for concern". | Public Health Minister Shona Robison said the figures, obtained by the Daily Record newspaper, gave "cause for concern". |
She said: "The number of 12 and 13-year-olds who get pregnant and have terminations is low but it is still a cause for concern. | She said: "The number of 12 and 13-year-olds who get pregnant and have terminations is low but it is still a cause for concern. |
"It is, however, important to note that the latest statistics show no rise in pregnancies in under-16s." | "It is, however, important to note that the latest statistics show no rise in pregnancies in under-16s." |
Sex education | Sex education |
She said the government was working with health boards and councils to ensure "appropriate" education on sex and relationships was delivered in all schools. | She said the government was working with health boards and councils to ensure "appropriate" education on sex and relationships was delivered in all schools. |
The figures revealed 343 abortions were carried out on girls under 16 last year. | The figures revealed 343 abortions were carried out on girls under 16 last year. |
Of these, 248 were 15, 82 were 14, and 13 were under 14. | Of these, 248 were 15, 82 were 14, and 13 were under 14. |
Since 2000, a total of 2,871 abortions were performed on girls under 16. | Since 2000, a total of 2,871 abortions were performed on girls under 16. |
Of these, 2,081 were aged 15, a further 695 were 14, 87 were 13, and eight were 12. | Of these, 2,081 were aged 15, a further 695 were 14, 87 were 13, and eight were 12. |
'Wrong strategy' | |
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." |
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