Abortion figures concern S.P.U.C

Press, 19 May 1984, Page 12

Abortion figures concern S.P.U.C

The Christchurch Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child comments in a statement that it may be unwise to compare 1936 abortion rates in New Zealand with those of today if the Macmillan Report 1937 conclusions are used. Mrs Patricia Batchelor, a spokesperson for the Society, was referring to Jacqueline Steincamp’s quotation in ‘The Press" on May 16 of 16 3 abortions per WOO women in 1936.

This figure was based on the number of maternal deaths from backstreet abortions. The Macmillan Committee arrived at an estimate of 4000 cases of criminally induced abortions for the year ended March 31, 1936. The Royal Commission on Contraception. Sterilisation and Abortion, in its 1977 report, commented on the Macmillan Committee conclusions. It made two points relative to the findings of that committee, which appear to bear on the validity of its conclusions. These were;

“1 Medical research since 1936 has shown that the proportion of spontaneous abortions to live births is much higher than it was once believed to be. Inferences, therefore, as to the number of illegal abortions, which are to be drawn from the number of hospitajj-ad-

missions tor all abortions, must be considered with caution.

“2. Estimates made by the committee were based largely on projections for the whole country made from the total number of cases for abortion treated in public hospitals in one urban district.” S.P.U.C. views the 7217 abortions performed in the year ended December 31, 1983. as a matter of grave concern, said Mrs Batchelor.

The society held the view that a healthy, responsible, and balanced attitude to sexuality was one of the most immportant factors in reducing unplanned pregnancies and the consequent demand for abortion.