Perdita
20-05-2010, 17:48
A television advert giving advice on unplanned pregnancy and explaining how to get an abortion will be aired for the first time next week.
Channel 4 will show the commercial paid for by Marie Stopes next Monday, well past the watershed, at 10.10pm.
The advertisement from the UK's leading provider of sexual health services outside the NHS is part of a campaign aimed at breaking one of society's last taboos.
"Research indicates that 42% of adults have no idea where to go - apart from their GP - for specialist advice about an unplanned pregnancy, even though one in three women in the UK will have an abortion in their lifetime," the charity's Judy Douglas told Sky News Online.
The subject is still not always openly or honestly discussed, Marie Stopes argues, saying it is time to improve public understanding to help women become more confident and informed when it comes to sexual health.
"Abortion has been legal in this country for more than 40 years and we believe it is time to open up the debate," said Ms Douglas.
"Sex education is very patchy and mixed messages are often sent out. Keeping things under wraps is part of the British culture so it's time to improve things."
Dana Hovig, Marie Stopes International's CEO said: "Last year alone we received 350,000 calls to our 24-hour helpline.
"Clearly there are hundreds of thousands of women who want and need sexual health information and advice, and access to services.
"Marie Stopes International provides such support in a safe, non-judgemental environment. We hope the new 'Are you late?' campaign will encourage people to talk about their choices, including abortion, more openly and honestly.
Figures for 2008 indicate nearly 216,000 abortions were carried out in the UK.
Not everyone thinks the advert is a good idea. Anti-abortion campaigner Pro Life does not approve.
"The purpose of an abortion commercial is clearly to "sell" abortion and it will not provide full information about foetal development, the abortion procedure itself, the health risks which abortion poses for women, let alone the alternatives to abortion," the charity said.
"This is hardly conducive to making the "informed sexual health choices" which Marie Stopes claims to provide.
Not sure about this :hmm:
Channel 4 will show the commercial paid for by Marie Stopes next Monday, well past the watershed, at 10.10pm.
The advertisement from the UK's leading provider of sexual health services outside the NHS is part of a campaign aimed at breaking one of society's last taboos.
"Research indicates that 42% of adults have no idea where to go - apart from their GP - for specialist advice about an unplanned pregnancy, even though one in three women in the UK will have an abortion in their lifetime," the charity's Judy Douglas told Sky News Online.
The subject is still not always openly or honestly discussed, Marie Stopes argues, saying it is time to improve public understanding to help women become more confident and informed when it comes to sexual health.
"Abortion has been legal in this country for more than 40 years and we believe it is time to open up the debate," said Ms Douglas.
"Sex education is very patchy and mixed messages are often sent out. Keeping things under wraps is part of the British culture so it's time to improve things."
Dana Hovig, Marie Stopes International's CEO said: "Last year alone we received 350,000 calls to our 24-hour helpline.
"Clearly there are hundreds of thousands of women who want and need sexual health information and advice, and access to services.
"Marie Stopes International provides such support in a safe, non-judgemental environment. We hope the new 'Are you late?' campaign will encourage people to talk about their choices, including abortion, more openly and honestly.
Figures for 2008 indicate nearly 216,000 abortions were carried out in the UK.
Not everyone thinks the advert is a good idea. Anti-abortion campaigner Pro Life does not approve.
"The purpose of an abortion commercial is clearly to "sell" abortion and it will not provide full information about foetal development, the abortion procedure itself, the health risks which abortion poses for women, let alone the alternatives to abortion," the charity said.
"This is hardly conducive to making the "informed sexual health choices" which Marie Stopes claims to provide.
Not sure about this :hmm: