Our society is writing to every member of Parliament to seek support for the restoration of the rights of parents to exercise their responsibilities in protecting their children. Section 37 of the Care of Children Bill provides for a girl under the age of sixteen to have an abortion without the knowledge or consent of the parents or guardians. In practice a girl may be taken from school by a teacher, school counselor or a friend to have an abortion without the knowledge or consent of parents. In the event that a complication should occur during the abortion that requires surgery, the consent of parents is required before surgery may be undertaken. This is a serious breach of trust that parents place in school staff to attend to the educational needs of the girl. Parents have not delegated to school staff the responsibility to make a decision concerning an abortion on their child.

Some of the reasons for our opposition to this Section are as follows; -

  1.  Section 37 is in fact pro-abortion and anti-life. It encourages the killing of an unborn child and   effectively eliminates adoption as a life nurturing option.

  2.  Section 37 breaks down the trust that should exist between parents and children.

  3.  Section 37 places parents at a great disadvantage in providing assistance for their child who may   suffer medical or psychological problems following an abortion of which they are unaware of.

  The state   holds the parents responsible for not providing proper care and protection for their child.   In contrast, the state does not hold responsible a school councilor, teacher, or a member of the   Family Planning Association who have been responsible for facilitating an abortion without the   consent or knowledge of the parent.

  4.  A girl under the age of sixteen is under the age of consent. The male responsible for the pregnancy is   often an older male who could be charged with a criminal offense. The offense may be one of rape   and possibly incest. Section 37 allows this offense to go unreported to the Police and the offender to   escape responsibility and punishment for his offense. This could result in the girl continuing to be   subject to the offensive and criminal activity. This is not in the best interests of the girl or her   family.

  5.  It is acknowledged that it would often be very difficult for a young girl under the age of sixteen to   advise her parents that she was pregnant. The initial reaction would understandably be one of anger.   This anger would normally soon be replaced by unconditional love and compassion.

  6.  Section 37 is contrary to several international conventions. The United Nations Convention on the Child 1989, has in its preamble the following; -

  “ Convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for   the growth and well being of all its members, and particularly children, should be afforded the   necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the   community.”

  7.  There is community support for parental consent. In October 1999 Right to Life New Zealand, then   named ‘The Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child Christchurch Branch INC.,’   commissioned A. C. Nielsen to conduct a survey of one thousand persons in New Zealand on   attitudes to the Guardianship Act, Section 25A. Respondents were asked if Parliament should   amend the Guardianship Act to require the written consent of parents or guardians before an   abortion is carried out on a female less than sixteen years of age. Sixty three percent of respondents   agreed that Parliament should amend the Guardianship Act to require the written consent of parents   or guardians before an abortion is carried out on a female less than sixteen years. Thirty five percent  of the respondents strongly agreed and twenty eight percent agreed.

  8.  Laws requiring parental consent or notification before an abortion may be performed on a young   woman under the age of eighteen have been passed by forty four states in the United States. One of   these states has the age requirement at sixteen. Two others have an age requirement of seventeen. A   total of twenty four states have consent laws.

  9.  Parental Consent Laws Save Lives

  Studies done in the United States reveal that following the introduction of parental consent /   notification laws there has been a reduction in teenage abortions of between 13 – 25% in states that   have this legislation. The Abortion Supervisory Committee have advised that for the year 2002 there   were 288 girls under the age of 16 who had an abortion a parental consent amendment to this Bill   could save the lives of more than fifty unborn children.

  Recommendation

  It is recommended that section 37 be replaced with the following amendment – Section 37.

  Consent to Abortion

  (1) No female child under the age of 16 may consent to the carrying out on her of any medical or surgical   procedure for the purpose of terminating her pregnancy without obtaining the consent of at least one   parent or guardian.

  (2) Consent of a parent or guardian is evidenced by an affidavit signed by the parent or guardian, in the   presence of a barrister and solicitor, or a notary public.

  (3) Any female child may refuse her consent to the carrying out on her of any medical or surgical   procedure for the purpose of terminating her pregnancy, notwithstanding any consent given by parent or   guardian under subsection (1).

Conclusion

Abortion entails the killing of an innocent and helpless unborn child who is the weakest and most defenseless member of our human family. Section 37 promotes a culture of death. We respectfully request that you support and promote a culture of life by supporting our society’s proposed amendment to the Care of Children Bill.

We would be grateful if you would advise our society of your position on this important issue.

Thank you for your efforts to protect life and promote the family.

Yours sincerely

Ken Orr

For executive