New Report: British Abortions Up, Repeat Abortions High

International   |   Steven Ertelt   |   May 29, 2012   |   1:08PM   |   London, England

New figures released today by the Department of Health show that the high abortion rate in England and Wales continued in 2011 and even slightly increased.

The total number of abortions in 2011 in England and Wales was 189,931, 0.2% more than in 2010 (189,574) and 7.7% more than in 2001 (176,364). Young women have the highest abortion rate , at 33 per 1,000, for women aged 20.  There were also 1,000 abortions to women aged under 15.

The vast majority (98%; 185,973) of abortions in 2011 were undertaken under Ground C, and the vast majority (99.96%) of Ground C only terminations were reported as being performed because of a risk to the woman’s mental health. These abortions were done even though research shows abortion poses more of a threat to women’s mental health than having a baby.

The figures also show that many women are having multiple abortions. In 2011, 36% of women undergoing abortions had one or more previous abortions.  The proportion has risen from 31% since 2001. 26% of abortions to women aged under the age of 25 were repeat abortions.

The ProLife Alliance condemned the new numbers in a statement LifeNews received.

“Each year when the Abortion Statistics are published the ProLife Alliance, together with all colleagues who defend the right to life of every child in the womb, continues to hope that at last we will see some signs of a turning of the abortion tide.  We look desperately for some real indication that the relentless termination of unborn life in the United Kingdom will one day come to an end,” it said. “Very sadly the Abortion Statistics for 2011 give little cause to justify our continued optimism, except thankfully in the under-16 and under-18 year old groups.  Both these age groups show lower abortion rates than last year, and this is at least something to be positive about.”

“In all other aspects there is no good news to note.  Overall abortion figures are up by 7.7% since 2001.  Repeat abortion numbers continue to rise (by 1% since last year) and as was noted by the press recently these include a number of women who have had 7 or more abortions,” the group added.

The Pro-Life Alliance said BPAS, Marie Stopes and other private abortion business continue to do most abortions — although paid for with taxpayer funds from the NHS.

It also was upset that 146 abortions were done after 24 weeks and 29 after 32 weeks of pregnancy and it condemned the mental health excuse justifying virtually all abortions.

“Either we have a very serious mental health problem in women of childbearing age, or abortions are simply done on demand.  Take your pick,” it said.

Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, also greeted government abortion statistics published today with sadness.

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“It is sad that the abortion rate in this nation, which everyone agrees is too high, has not been reduced in 2011, and that so many young women in particular are having abortions,” she said. “Since the introduction of the Abortion Act 1967, there have been well over 7 million abortions in England and Wales. Yet Parliament never intended abortion to be available on demand. How have we let this happen?”

“It is clear that the reality and dangers of abortion are not widely known. Abortion is seen as the solution to a problem; this must change. We must find ways of making adoption seem a real alternative and we must create systems to help those who decide to keep their children against all the odds,” Williams said. “The stark reality of these figures demonstrates why MP Nadine Dorries’ attempt to ensure that women are offered independent counseling should continue to be supported and should be kept on the political agenda. When women are given a moment to stop and pause, they often make very different decisions.”

“We must not resign ourselves to this high level of abortions but must continue to tell women that there are other alternatives. There needs to be a culture change in our nation on this issue,” she continued. “Not only does each abortion rob a child of the chance to live and enjoy its life, but abortion can also damage the mental and sometimes the physical health of the mother, and often impacts the father and the wider family.”