ALRANZ: Proper Sex Education Would Reduce Abortions

"One suspects that we will shortly be treated to the usual paroxysms of hysteria from SPUC, Right to Life New Zealand, the Christian Heritage and others about the current abortion rate." Mr Craig Young, ALRANZ Research Officer said today in response to the latest Abortion Supervisory Committee Report, issued to Parliament on Tuesday.

"It is clear that there was a panic over third-generation oral contraceptives, and conservative Christian groups need to take their share of the blame for exaggerated risk."

"As ALRANZ stated previously, we support the ASC in its call for the decriminalisation of abortion access and an end to the costly certifying consultant system, which wastes money that could be better spent on contraceptive subsidies and government research and development of a comprehensive sexuality education programme. We also share their concern that the current law is being flouted over mandatory provision of counselling, whereas the current law states that women may choose counselling as an option or forego it."

"If we are serious about developing a balanced policy on reproductive and sexual health, we need to take the initiative on this. We hope that there will be further elements to the government's announced compulsory sex education programme that include banning "junk science" sex education curricula from conservative Christian pressure groups that lack any basis in fact." Mr.Young concluded:

Contact: Craig Young ALRANZ Research Officer ph 06 3569099 ext 7750

Dr.Margaret Sparrow ALRANZ President ph 04 4759886

National ALRANZ Box 28008 Wellington

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