FAQs

Young women under the age of 16 can have an abortion without parental consent.  Two doctors must agree that it is in her best interests to have an abortion and that she is competent to consent i.e. mature enough to make a decision for herself and to understand the consequence of the decision she is making.

Most young women choose to involve their parents or carers in their decision to end a pregnancy, and doctors will always encourage a young woman to do this. However, where there is no parental involvement the doctor will try to ensure that another appropriate adult is there to support her, both during and after the procedure.
 
For more information see Abortion and Confidentiality

In this country, doctors are trained to carry out abortions and are used to performing them. They do so in clinical settings using appropriate drugs and methods. This means that abortion procedures here are very safe, carrying only a small risk of complication. Where abortions are carried out in early pregnancy, the risks are reduced further.

For more information see How does abortion affect women?

Depending on the school your child attends, they might be learning about abortion in one or more areas of the curriculum. Discussion of abortion is often included in the Religious Studies syllabus and it should be included in Sex and Relationships Education (within Personal Social and Health Education) according to Government guidance.

Sometimes it is discussed as a purely abstract moral debate – a matter of right or wrong. In other schools, the moral dimensions of the issue are explored alongside practical explorations of sexual choices, health, pregnancy prevention, and the choice of whether or not to become a parent.

Schools have a duty of care to their students and should not expose them to information that is inaccurate or distressing. It is worth finding out what your child is learning, whether outside agencies have been invited in to talk about the subject, and whether the materials they are using are appropriate. This information is available from the school as is their Sex and Relationship Education policy, which all schools are required to have by law.

Click here for more information about Good Practice in Abortion Education.

Your son does not have a legal right to decide whether or not his girlfriend should continue with or end her pregnancy. He may have very strong feelings about what he would like her to do and may find it helpful to share his thoughts and feelings with you.

He might not know whether or not it is appropriate to share his feelings with his girlfriend, but it can be useful for him and for her to have an honest discussion about what they want to do. Even if they do not ultimately agree, he may find it easier to come to terms with her decision if he has had a chance to hear her thoughts about the pregnancy. Her decision too should be informed by an understanding of what he wants her to do and why.

If your son’s girlfriend chooses to go ahead with the pregnancy he might need to take financial as well as parental responsibility. Agencies like Sure Start and Connexions will be able to identify local sources of support and information for him. Your support might enable him to play a positive part in the parenting of his child in the long term even if he doesn’t remain in a relationship with his girlfriend.

If your son’s girlfriend chooses to end the pregnancy, it might be helpful for him to share his feelings with you. If he can’t speak to you, his GP or an independent abortion provider such as bpas or MSI can arrange for him to talk to a counsellor.

Any young people’s sexual health service would be happy to talk to your son about his experience and effective ways to prevent pregnancy (and sexually transmitted infections) in the future.

For more information see Men and Abortion

It is normal for parents to have strong feelings when their daughter becomes pregnant and it is reasonable to share these thoughts with her. However, it is important for a woman’s long term health and welfare that she makes her own decision about whether or not to continue with her pregnancy.

It may be helpful for your daughter to have an opportunity to discuss her pregnancy with someone outside of the family to help her clarify her thoughts and feelings about it. Support is available free of charge at young people’s clinics or through her GP. The independent abortion providers bpas and MSI also provide non-directive counselling (see their websites for information about the charges for this service).

If she decides that she wants an abortion she could seek help, initially from her GP, family planning clinic or at a young people’s clinic such as Brook. More information is available about your local clinics from the fpa and Brook websites.

It is essential that your daughter is not forced or coerced into having an abortion, as pressure or ambivalence about the decision is more likely to leave her with feelings of regret or sadness.

For more information about sources of support click here.