SPUC has described Scottish abortion figures, released today by Public Health Scotland as a “national tragedy”. 13,815 abortions were recorded in Scotland during 2020.
Michael Robinson, SPUC Director of Communications said: “We are looking at a national tragedy here. This appalling figure shows us that abortion is becoming more and more normalised. Propaganda telling women that abortion is ‘simple and safe’ coupled with easier access to abortion drugs is driving up abortion numbers.”
The breakdown
Scotland’s 2020 abortions statistics reveal that:
- From 2014 to 2020 the number and rate of abortions has been increasing.
- 97% of unborn babies were killed by chemical abortions, where the mother takes abortion pills.
- 81% of unborn babies were killed by abortion under nine weeks’ gestation, rising from 74.5% in 2019. This may be the impact of the DIY abortion policy, in which abortion pills must be taken under ten weeks.
- 209 unborn babies were killed by abortion following diagnosis of a suspected disability.
- 144 unborn babies were killed in late term abortions past 18 weeks’ gestation.
- No abortions were carried out to save the life of the mother.
- Women from Scotland’s most deprived areas were twice as likely to have an abortion compared to women from Scotland’s least deprived areas.
- The number of abortions for women aged 25 and over has been steadily increasing and more abortions were reported in each of these age groups in 2020 than in any previous year.
SPUC’s Michael Robinson added: “Behind each of these figures lies a dead baby and a mother who lost her child to abortion.”
Disturbing government measures
During March 2020, DIY home abortion regulations were implemented by Scottish Ministers in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Women can get chemical abortion drugs following a phone or video call. They then perform their own abortion at home with no medical supervision or support.
SPUC’s Michael Robinson said: “This year’s figures show a devastating increase in abortion numbers. The statistics reveal a catastrophic loss of unborn life arising from the Scottish government’s dangerous policy on abortion.
“At SPUC we have always said that DIY home abortion is detrimental to the mental and physical well-being of women in our country. Women should not be facing the mental anguish that accompanies DIY abortions, nor any abortion for that matter.
“SPUC is calling on Scottish Ministers to reverse their dangerous DIY home abortion policy as a first step to ending all abortion and restoring full protection to mothers and their unborn children.”
If you, or anyone you know has been affected by abortion, please contact the Abortion Recovery Care and Helpline (ARCH) for free, non-judgemental, confidential support: 0345 603 8501 or info@archtrust.org.uk.