Schoolgirls as young as 12 could be given contraceptive implants in an
attempt to reduce under-age pregnancies.
The move is being considered by a local authority at a time when England and
Wales has one of the highest teenage birth rates in Western Europe.
Around 21 girls under 16, the legal age of sexual consent, become pregnant
every day in Britain, according to Government figures.
A report for Barnsley Metropolitan District Council has found that the
number of pregnancies among 17 and 18 year olds has gone down since 1998,
but there has been no significant reduction among younger girls.
It has drawn up a 75-page report into the problem which recommends "long
term contraceptive implants be carried out with a view to improving the
provision of services".
The implants can protect girls from unwanted pregnancies for up to three
years and although parental consent would be encouraged it is not
compulsory.
Sharron (corr) Brook, chairman of Barnsley's Children's Services Scrutiny
Commission, said: "It is no use pretending that these girls aren't having
sex because it's happening all over and there is nothing anyone can do to
stop it.
"We have to offer them all the options we can to prevent teenage pregnancies
because they can ruin lives.
"Implants are favoured because other forms of contraception are easily
forgotten. You cannot make people do anything - they have to want to do it
themselves."
Barnsley saw a 17.5 per cent drop in conception rates among under 18s from
1998 to 49.7 per thousand in 2006, the latest figures available.
The council is likely to face opposition to the proposal before deciding
whether it should go ahead.
Fred Clowery, an independent councillor, said: "Having a contraceptive
implant for 13, 14, and 15 year olds would give them the licence to go out
and be more promiscuous . I am quite sure parents would be very concerned
about that.
"I would be concerned as a parent and grandparent if the council was going
to start implanting school age children. If they are promiscuous there are
other issues as well."
According to the report 16 to 19 year olds account for more than a third of
sexually transmitted diseases in the Barnsley area.
The link between sexual behaviour and under-age drinking is also being
examined.
Mrs Brook, a Liberal Democrat councillor, said: "If we can make a dent in
alcohol consumption then I think we will make a dent in the number of
teenage pregnancies.
"We are not saying that contraceptive implants are the answer, but they
should be offered, along with other forms of contraception.
"I gave been out and spoken to girls between the ages of 12 and 16 who
openly admit to having sex on a regular basis.
"Morally we may not like it, but it is a fact and we have to do all we can
to prevent teenagers having unwanted children."
According to figures by the Department for Children, Schools and Families,
of the 21 under-age girls who become pregnant each day, nine will go on to
have the baby and the other 12 have abortions.
Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative frontbencher, said: "Girls are
increasingly sexually active and nobody is willing to tell them that they
should not be. We are all afraid of being judgemental."
Some academics believe the Government policy of more sex education and
freely available contraception such as the morning after pill is not
working.
