Reasonable grounds a 'very grey area'

A termination of pregnancy is lawful in Queensland only if the practitioner believes "on reasonable grounds" an abortion is necessary to "preserve the woman from a serious danger to her life or physical or mental health," Queensland Maternity and Neonatal Clinical Guidelines state.

In NSW, the same grounds apply, although a woman's "economic and social" circumstances are also considered.

Karen said what constituted a reasonable ground for an abortion was "legally a very grey area".

"We're effectively lying to make the case fit the law," she said.

"We have to say it will endanger her mental health to continue this pregnancy. Sometimes that's true, not always.

"Certainly, there are a lot of abortions carried out in Queensland.

Abortion law reform 'could save lives'

Most abortions in Australia are carried out in private clinics, attracting an out-of-pocket cost.

In 2015, Queensland Health estimated fewer than 3 per cent of abortions were provided in public health facilities.

Jamal Hakim is the chief operating officer for Marie Stopes International, a private clinic that performs abortions country-wide.

He said decriminalising abortion could save lives.

"Women might not have access to funds because of the relationship, or they might have access to funds but they need to have an abortion discreetly because when their partner finds out then the relationship actually gets more violent," he said.

"That's where it's important for women, so that they don't take this into their own hands."

Children by Choice manager Amanda Bradley said last year she saw about one woman a fortnight who was considering self-termination.

"We have women who either tried, or have asked how to do it. It's very serious," she said.

Karen also said some doctors' conscientious objection, and lack of access in rural areas drove some patients to despair.

'No problem so great a woman should kill her baby'

Queensland Health said about 10,000 abortions were carried out in the state in 2015.

The president of pro-life group Right to Life, Margaret Tighe, said she was determined to fight what she described as a "gradual escalation in the killing of unborn children".

"I can understand how women who've been subjected to violence by their husbands or partners, how they would feel. But nonetheless, there is no problem so great that a woman should have to kill her baby," she said.
Liesl Wharton, the director of domestic violence survivors' support group the RED HEART Campaign, said doctors also needed to keep an eye out for instances where they believed a woman was being forced to end a pregnancy.

"We also need to ensure that abortions are not forced upon women, also sterilisation operations are not forced upon women," she said.

A NSW Health spokesperson said: "Access to abortions should be considered in the same way as access to other medical care."

A Queensland Health spokesperson said: "Health providers, including our public hospitals, provide termination of pregnancy in accordance with the law."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-21/abortion-laws-force-abused-women-to-stay-w...

Laws across Australia:

ACT: abortion was decriminalised in 2002

NSW: abortion is unlawful, but 1971 ruling established abortion would be lawful if doctor believed there was "any economic, social or medical ground or reason" woman could not continue with pregnancy

NT: abortion is legal up to 14 weeks if "maternal health ground" or "fetal disability ground" is satisfied

SA: abortion is legal up to 28 weeks of conception, provided "maternal health" or "fetal disability" ground is satisfied

TAS: abortion is legal up to 16 weeks of pregnancy

QLD: abortion is a crime under the Criminal Code Act unless mother's physical or mental health is affected

VIC: abortion is legal up to 24 weeks of pregnancy

WA: abortion is legal up to 20 weeks of pregnancy

Source: Parliament of Australia

mothra wrote on Jun 21^st, 2017 at 11:53am:

Fair enough!

I second the motion.

We all know these horrible things must be given what is necessary to make them stop.

Not allowing women full reproductive control is a form of slavery. I have argued this before and have been called crazy but what is a slave but someone who does not have control over her body?

AiA wrote on Jun 21^st, 2017 at 12:13pm:


Exactly and well said.

I ought to know.....I had no say whatsoever when I was 1st pregnant.

Trapped in a violent relationship, too scared to move ( fear immobilizes victims) and threatened at every turn.

I just couldn't consider abortion as it devastated me on an emotional and spiritual level. And I was threatened with my life if I ever THOUGHT about terminating my pregnancy as that was the reason I was required. To reproduce.

The twins were born to a violent @rsehole and a frightened mum who felt guilty for bringing them into a domestic violent hell hole. But I did my best and I made sure I escaped....eventually.

Looking back....I recall the hopelessness of the situation. It was mainly from a legal perspective. Why? It's where I struggled the most. And my ex was a well connected lawyer so that didn't help matters.

Fast forward to today....those same 2 kids are very aware (they saw heaps as toddlers...the poor things) of domestic violence and its implications on society at every level. I've nurtured within them the sense of survival and of looking out to rescue others.

I have come to a place where I am at peace about forced sex and forced reproduction. But only on a personal level. I don't want any other woman to go through what I went through. I was strong enough to survive....they might not be.

And I find that confronting.

Do my twins know anything about the crime of forced reproduction in my life? No.

But they probably suspect it.

These 2 kids DO know that I love them unconditionally and would do anything to keep them safe and alive. And as far as I'm concerned that's a far more impt message for them to receive.

Conclusion?

Negative situations like domestic violence CAN be turned around. But you have to be prepared to fight for that to happen. And sometimes that fight can take a long time.

I'm still fighting domestic violence today...by making sure that as a mother my kids are taught to respect themselves and each other and their friends etc.

Also...to seriously think about what THEY can do  (career wise) to contribute in helping those still caught up in its revolting tsunami.

Have a lovely day!

rhino wrote on Jun 21^st, 2017 at 12:55pm:




Excellent logic. Because there are other problems, we don't need to worry about pesky little things like women's rights over their own bodies.

Spoken like an oblivious man.