Compulsory contraception?

Press, 28 February 1984, Page 10

Compulsory contraception?

PA New Plymouth A young woman, who had a pregnancy which had resulted from rape terminated, was given “compulsory contraception” with the drug depo provera, the New Plymouth Women’s Centre has alleged in a letter to Taranaki Base Hospital authorities. The centre said it was appalled by the incident and urged the hospital to give immediate attention to ensure such practices did not continue. Neither the Taranaki Hospital Board’s superintend-

ent-in-chief, Mr Don King, nor New Plymouth hospitals’ medical superintendent, Dr Peter Matthews, could be reached for comment on the allegation. The centre sent a copy of the letter to the “Taranaki Herald,” with a covering note saying it felt the issue was of immediate public importance. In its letter, addressed to the medical superintendent at Taranaki Base Hospital, the centre said it was recently approached by a very distressed mother and her daughter about an experience at Taranaki Base Hos-

pital. “The young woman had had a termination of pregnancy performed, as the result of a rape incident,” the letter alleged. “While under anaesthetic, and without her or her mother’s consent, she was given a contraceptive injection of depo provera.” The mother was later told by a staff member that the contraceptive injection and its use was “normal procedure” after abortions.

“The daughter has since suffered some of the well known various side effects of the drug and still is some

six months later,” the centre’s letter said. “The women’s centre is seriously concerned and appalled that such an infringement of patients’ rights should happen. “Secondly, we are concerned that the administering of depo provera, after widely documented evidence against its general use, should be used as so called ‘normal procedure’ after an abortion.

“Thirdly, we question seriously the implications of a young rape victim being given compulsory contraception.”