Forum Brief: Abortion Act

This week sees the 35th anniversary of the first legal abortions performed in Britain.

Under the terms of 1967 Abortion Act the consent of two doctors is required for an abortion to take place.

In light of their recent survey which revealed 88 per cent of women believe the decision should rest with the woman concerned, Marie Stopes International UK has questioned the relevance of the Abortion Act, asking whether it is outmoded, paternalistic and in need of reform.

Forum Response: Marie Stopes International UK

A spokesman for Marie Stopes International UK told ePolitix.com: "In 1967, Great Britain was pioneering in its introduction of a legal framework for abortion. Today, it lags behind much of the developed world and increasing numbers of less developed countries, in addressing abortion as a public health and rights issue.

"Abortion is still shrouded in a damaging veil of secrecy and ignorance, as our 2002 survey amply demonstrated. As a result, not only does a law that denies a woman's right to make autonomous, informed decisions about her own fertility remain effectively unchallenged in the parliamentary arena, but lack of awareness of the full range of treatment options that should be available also has some very real implications for her physical and psychological well being.

"The challenge facing British society today is the creation of both a legal framework and a service which reflect modern women's expectations: a law that fully recognises and respects women's competence to make informed decisions about their own fertility; and a service that is safe, prompt, caring and responsive, offers women a variety of modern treatment options and is free at the point of delivery."

Forum Response: CARE

A spokesman for CARE told ePolitix.com: "Sadly, over 500 abortions are performed ever single day. CARE agrees that the law governing abortion is outmoded and long overdue for reform.

"There is a real lack of good care for women who are considering an abortion. Our experience shows that women in a crisis pregnancy situation often feel trapped. They feel the only option is an abortion and they rarely receive full, accurate and impartial information. Women need space and time and deserve to know about all the different options that are open to them.

"CARE would like to see the law changed to ensure that every woman is provided with information on alternatives to abortion and their consequences; to be given an ultrasound scan; for the nature of the abortion procedure to be described; and for details of the physical and emotional risks that might be associated with abortion to be outlined."