'Eight 12-year-olds have had abortions in eight years'

Published on Friday 14 August 2009 22:05

ABORTIONS were carried out on nearly 100 girls aged 14 or younger in Scotland last year, according to new figures.

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.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison said: "The number of 12- and 13-year-olds who get pregnant and have terminations is low but still a cause for concern."

Last year 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 have been 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.

"Health boards and councils are providing young people's sexual health 'drop-in' services either within or near every Scottish school," she said.