SPUC has highlighted the failure of healthcare providers to address abortion coercion in a submission to the Government’s consultation on Women’s Health Strategy.

SPUC told the Government that more needs to be done to ensure that women’s voices are listened to, and that clinics take proper steps to ensure that women do not go through with abortions that they do not want.

“The scandal of abortion coercion is one of many aspects of the impact of abortion on women which the Government needs to address”, said SPUC’s Alithea Williams.

The Government is launching the strategy “with the ambition of improving health and wellbeing of women across the country”.

“It is always important to share our expertise on abortion, showing how it affects women and sharing that knowledge with those who have the power to make a difference”, explained SPUC’s Alithea Williams. “We know that research on abortion is often swept under the carpet, and women’s suffering is ignored. The evidence is there for all to see – it is time for Government to listen.”

Women’s voices

One of the key themes of the strategy is listening to women’s voices. SPUC’s evidence shows how the voices of women who are coerced into abortion, or feel that circumstances give them no choice, are ignored.

Information and education on women’s health

SPUC is particularly concerned that doctors and other healthcare professionals are not fully aware of the current research that describes the impact of abortion on women.

SPUC has pointed out to the Government that health professionals do not always recognise the complexities of women’s lives. One example highlighted in SPUC’s submission to the Government is the part abortion plays in the abuse and control of women and girls who are trafficked, not only for sex, but also those exploited in labour such as agriculture, fishing, textile, manufacturing, mining, domestic servitude, and “wives”, even in the UK.

“We cite a study of 107 survivors of sex trafficking in the USA, where women reported a total of 114 abortions, many forced. In the same study, over half the women said that the doctor performing the abortion was aware she was on the street”, said Alithea Williams. “This is a shocking dereliction of duty on the part of the doctor and one we hope is addressed in this Government’s strategy for women’s health.” 

SPUC’s submission also highlights the fact that women who have abortions because of the diagnosis of a foetal abnormality are prone to bad mental health, a condition that is also experienced by their partners.

Alithea Williams said: “In our submission to the Government, we refer to the numerous studies which have identified a high incidence of negative emotions, psychological distress, post-traumatic symptoms and somatic complaints for women who abort a disabled baby.”

Research, evidence and data

SPUC’s submission also took the opportunity to point out the poor quality of record keeping on abortion in the UK.

Countries like Denmark and Finland have very accurate abortion registries, and record linkage data in these and other nations has been used to investigate outcomes such as preterm birth, maternal mortality and mental health problems, including suicide.

The UK is in a unique position to contribute to this research. In 2008, guidance was issued by the Department of Health that the NHS number should be used to identify all procedures commissioned and paid for by the NHS so that an effective audit of outcomes could be done.

“It is not acceptable that abortion is the one procedure that so far has been able to avoid this requirement. NHS numbers must be collected on abortion forms so that abortion can be linked with other health outcomes”, said Alithea Williams.

SPUC’s submission can be seen here.