Petition calls for action on coerced abortions

 (Photo: Getty/iStock)

A petition launched by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) is calling upon the Health Secretary to tackle coercive abortion.

The petition calls coerced abortions "an often unrecognised form of domestic abuse". 

The pro-life group highlights the case of a 16-year-old victim named only as Hayley who was pressured into an abortion by her boyfriend and family.

The petition asks the Health Secretary to urgently commission research into the area of abortion coercion, and "in so doing recognise coerced abortion as a priority for health and social policy moving forward".

It has been launched after a recent BBC poll found that 15 per cent of British women had experienced pressure or coercion to have an abortion that they did not want.

SPUC said the data was "shocking" and demonstrated that "coercion in abortion decisions is an urgent and immediate threat to women's health and wellbeing".

Alithea Williams, Public Policy Manager, said, "Ever since the Roe v Wade verdict was handed down, a woman's right to choose has been a hot topic of conversation.

"However, something that many pro-abortion advocates aren't willing to talk about is that for many women, abortion isn't a choice at all."

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Christians petition for protection of pastors in Colombia following murders
Christians petition for protection of pastors in Colombia following murders

A petition will be presented to the new president.

Scotland faces crisis of belonging as loneliness deepens across society
Scotland faces crisis of belonging as loneliness deepens across society

Younger adults - despite being the most digitally connected generation in history - are increasingly struggling to form meaningful relationships and stable communities.

Who was Mother Julian of Norwich and why is she important?
Who was Mother Julian of Norwich and why is she important?

8 May is the traditional day to remember Mother Julian of Norwich. She is important because her book remains a classic of Christian spirituality and is the first book in English known to have been written by a woman. This is her story …

'Dark day' as retired pastor is convicted for preaching John 3:16 near abortion facilities
'Dark day' as retired pastor is convicted for preaching John 3:16 near abortion facilities

A retired pastor has been found guilty of breaching an abortion clinic 'safe access zone' after he preached a sermon on John 3:16.