Worsening abortion trends hurting vulnerable young women, warns SPUC

Worsening abortion trends hurting vulnerable young women, warns SPUC * GB-resident abortions exceed 200,000 for the first time. * England and Wales abortion total (residents + overseas women) exceed 200,000 for first time. * Highest ever rates of abortion overall - 17.5 abortions per 1000 women (crude rate) Westminster, 18th June 2007 - The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has commented on the latest annual abortion statistics, with particular concern about the welfare of young women. The government's push to reduce NHS waiting times is leading to an increasing number of young, single women being pressured into having 'social' abortions, and having them in 'short order'. An increasing number of these abortions are chemical abortions - RU486. Even the manufacturers of RU-486 have said that the drug puts women through an appalling psychological ordeal. Paul Tully, General Secretary of SPUC said: "Moves to promote the fast-tracking of abortion are making women ever more vulnerable to the misinformation and pressure which often accompanies abortion decisions. Department of Health targets to rush through abortions make doctors reluctant to refer women for counselling. "Without positive support an abortion can seem unavoidable - but may be bitterly regretted later on. The government's approach of promoting early abortion is increasing the overall number of abortions. "Gordon Brown should end the Labour government's policy of rushing women as quickly as possible through the abortion mill, in its frenzy to cut waiting times. He should also end the policy of promoting secret abortions on teenagers without telling their parents, and he should stop the counter-productive sex-education programmes that the pro-abortion lobby promotes widely. "Most people agree that there are far too many abortions already, and will be appalled at the latest increases. Unborn children deserve our care and protection from the earliest stages of pregnancy, and these figures reflect a tragedy of vast proportions for women and families." Mr Tully concluded: "We also call upon the government, the medical profession and all those concerned to reverse the current policies which encourage abortions."