By SPUC—the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children
In 2022, there were 16,584 abortions in Scotland, representing a 20% increase compared to the previous year. SPUC has commented today that the availability of DIY home abortion has served to “normalise” the exploitation of women. Furthermore, statistics have revealed that the majority of abortions now take place at home.
Official statistics released by Public Health Scotland yesterday revealed a 19% increase in the abortion rate in Scotland between 2021 and 2022. In 2013, the abortion rate was 11.5 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 years. By last year, this rate had risen to 16.1.
It is notable that chemical abortion (abortion drugs) constituted 98.8% of all abortions in 2022. Over half (56.2%) of women took both drugs at home, while 25.5% took the second drug at home. In 2022, there were just 200 surgical abortions (1.2%) performed, representing a radical shift from 1992, when 84% of abortions were surgical.
The number of women self-reporting one or more previous terminations also increased significantly between 2021 and 2022.
The age group most likely to undergo an abortion in 2022 was 20 to 24, a finding consistent with previous years.
In 2022, 112 abortions were attributed to chromosomal conditions, including Down’s Syndrome and Edwards Syndrome. Additionally, 54 abortions were attributed to nervous system conditions such as spina bifida.
SPUC comment
A spokesperson for SPUC made the following comment:
“We can now see the disastrous effects of the abortion industry using the shutdown to introduce DIY home abortion – a so-called ‘temporary’ measure cynically used to further normalise abortion.
“This is what pro-abortion ideologues and politicians seemed to want all along, to increase abortion by any means necessary, in this case through the proliferation of home abortion drugs.
“As well as causing thousands more unborn deaths, this policy has left vulnerable women even more exposed to coercion from abusive partners. In 2021, a survey found that 86% of UK GPs were concerned that such a policy would put these women at risk of coercion.
“Ultimately, DIY home abortion has always been about increasing abortion, not protecting women. This is a tragic day for Scottish women”.
Daniel Miller is responsible for nearly all of National Right to Life News' political writing.
With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Daniel Miller developed a deep obsession with U.S. politics that has never let go of the political scientist. Whether it's the election of Joe Biden, the midterm elections in Congress, the abortion rights debate in the Supreme Court or the mudslinging in the primaries - Daniel Miller is happy to stay up late for you.
Daniel was born and raised in New York. After living in China, working for a news agency and another stint at a major news network, he now lives in Arizona with his two daughters.
