Under 16 and considering abortion?

You may have lots of questions

Do my parents need to know?

Although we won’t talk with your parents against your wishes, we will encourage you to involve a parent or other trusted adult who can support you through the treatment process.  We don’t force young people to tell their parents or carers.  However women rarely attend our clinics on their own, and we cannot provide some treatments if you don’t bring an adult to take you home and stay with you afterwards. See below for more detail on who you could bring with you to the clinic.

Can anyone under 16 consent to their own treatment?

Our staff will make sure that you are fully aware of what is involved with abortion treatment.  If you are sure that you want an abortion, and you understand the procedure and the possible risks and complications of treatment, you can agree to the treatment yourself.   

Will anyone be told of the abortion?

Doctors, nurses and health workers cannot share your information without your permission unless they think you or another person is in serious danger (this applies to everyone, at all ages).  In these exceptional cases, they would try to discuss it with your first. 

Do I have to tell the father?

If you choose to have an abortion you don’t need the father’s agreement – however, some partners want to share in the decision and can be supportive.  It is up to you whether to involve him, but he has no legal right to be informed or consulted.

Who should I bring with me?

A female adult of your choice can stay with you throughout your treatment and you need an adult (aged 18 or over) to take you home afterwards. It’s not possible for a male to accompany you as closely as a female support person because we need to protect the privacy of our other clients too.