: Over eight million children are missing from Britain since the Abortion Act 1967 came into effect on this day in 1968, the equivalent of the entire populations of Scotland and Wales combined.
Every day on average 552 recorded abortions take place in Britain according to official figures, the equivalent of the entire roll-call of more than two typical primary schools.
Every week nearly 4,000 unborn babies die by abortion, the equivalent of 20 passenger jets.
Last year around 200,000 people died by abortion, enough to fill Wembley Stadium twice over.
The anniversary was marked by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) www.spuc.org.uk,which was founded to oppose the Abortion Act. Supporters of SPUC formed silent vigils in cities including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Liverpool, Glasgow and Plymouth. As well as focusing on the loss of human life, the vigils drew attention to the needs of the many women who suffer physically or psychologically from an abortion experience, often many years after the event. Click here to see photos from vigils across the UK.
John Smeaton, SPUC's chief executive, commented: "Our country has been deprived of millions of never-to-be repeated lives by the hidden horror of abortion. Our peaceful silent vigils highlight that stark truth and let women know where to call if they are suffering from post-abortion trauma."
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