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LONDON, June 29, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In a study carried out by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, it was found that more than four in ten pregnancies in the U.K., from women aged 15 – 17, ended in abortion. However it was also found that these statistics varied greatly across the U.K.  The highest abortion rates for women in this age group were found in Eden (Cumbria), 76%; Epsom and Ewell, 74%; Rochford (Essex), 72%; and the Mole Valley (Surrey), 70%. Areas with the lowest rates included Derwentshire,18%; Torridge (Devon), 27%, Merthyr Tydfil, 28% and Ashfield, Notts, at 30%.

Although the figures were collected differently in Scotland, abortion rates among young women aged 13 -19 were found to range from 49% in Grampian to 32% in Shetland.

Apparently for some, these staggering rates of abortion among young women are not high enough. Based on the results of the report, Ellie Lee co-author of the report states, “Abortion needs to be de-stigmatised and the case made more strongly for viewing it as a morally acceptable aspect of reproductive health care and family planning. . . ”  mw