PA
Shocking new figures reveal that more than a thousand girls a year under the age of 15 have an abortion, with some terminations being carried out on youngsters of just 12 or 13.
The statistics - published by the Department of Health - show that since 2002, more than 35,262 abortions were carried out on youngsters under 16, and last year, 3,718 terminations were carried out on girls of 15 or under, with 1,042 on girls aged 14 or younger. One hundred and thirty four of those girls were 13, and two of them just 12.
This is the first time the the Department of Health has published figures that shows the exact numbers of abortions carried out on girls in each age group under 16.
Campaigners say the figures were representative of a society where abortion was 'on demand' even for those who are under the age of consent and should not be having sex.
Norman Wells from the Family Education Trust charity, told the Daily Mail: 'Every abortion involves a personal tragedy for a mother and a child, and none more so than where the mother herself is a child.
'But these figures are just the tip of the iceberg. For every child who has had an abortion under the age of 16, there will be many more who are engaging in illegal sexual activity and suffering physical and emotional harm as a result.'
What do you think? Are you shocked by these figures?