95 abortions carried out on girls aged 14 or under

Published on Friday 14 August 2009 11:24

ABORTIONS were carried out on nearly 100 girls aged 14 or younger last year, figures revealed today.

And over the last nine years, nearly 3,000 girls aged 15 or younger had abortions.

Eight of the youngsters who underwent terminations between 2001 and 2008 were just 12, the figures revealed.

The figures were disclosed in response to a Freedom of Information request.

Previous official figures have only given numbers for the under 16 age group in general, with no further age breakdown.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison said the statistics were a "cause for concern."

She said: "The number of 12 and 13-year-olds who get pregnant and have terminations is low but it is still a cause for concern.

"It is, however, important to note that the latest statistics show no rise in pregnancies in under 16s."

Last year a total of 343 abortions were carried out on girls under 16.

Of these, 248 were 15, 82 were 14, and 13 were under 14.

Since 2000, a total of 2,871 abortions were performed on girls under 16.

Of these, 2,081 were 15, 695 were 14, 87 were 13, and eight were 12.

The minister said the Scottish Government was working with health boards and councils to ensure "appropriate" education on sex and relationships was delivered in all schools.

"To ensure young people have access to services and information when they require it, health boards and councils are providing young people's sexual health 'drop-in' services are available either within or near every Scottish school," she said.

"Our message to youngsters for safer sexual health is delay until you are ready, but be safe when you are active."