‘Women in difficult circumstances need support, not condemnation’

bpas responds to the reports on the Archbishop of Westminster’s discussion with the Secretary of State for Health on abortion. 

In a press statement on 21 June 2006, Ann Furedi, Chief Executive of bpas, said today:

‘We know that the views of the Archbishop of Westminster are not representative of the UK public at large, the majority of which supports access to safe, legal abortion- or indeed, of the many Catholics that make a private choice to regulate their own fertility.

‘We see a small number of women coming forward for termination of pregnancy between 20-24 weeks’ gestation. This group is particularly vulnerable. These are very young girls who have been simply too frightened to tell their parents about their pregnancy, or women undergoing the menopause, which can mask the symptoms of pregnancy; or women who have experienced a catastrophic family event during a wanted pregnancy. These devastating changes in circumstances typically involve the serious illness of an existing child who will need long term care, or sudden desertion by their husband or partner.

‘These women have made an incredibly hard decision to end their pregnancy and they need support, not condemnation. It can never be in the best interests of girls and women to force childbearing upon them.’

See: Cardinal to reignite abortion row, BBC, 21 June 2006

bpas, (formerly known as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service) a registered charity since 1968, is the UK’s leading specialist abortion provider. bpas carried out almost 50,000 abortions last year. 77% per cent of treatment carried out by bpas is under contract to the NHS. All the charity’s abortion and contraceptive services are on a not-for-profit basis. Please see www.bpas.org for further information.

To arrange an interview, or to request a tour around bpas‘ central London clinic, please contact the press office on 020 7612 0206 or 07788 725 185.